Commit | Line | Data |
---|---|---|
7ba37647 JM |
1 | --- |
2 | title: "PineTime - End of 2021 review" | |
3 | date: 2022-01-01T12:13:47+03:00 | |
4 | tags: ['pine64','smartwatch','opensource','review'] | |
5 | description: "PineTime is a open-source smartwatch built by Pine64 and the community on the budget. What has changed in 5 months from July to December of 2021? Find out in this new year's summary review." | |
6 | type: "blog" | |
7 | aliases: ["/pinetime-part-two-end-of-2021.md"] | |
8 | draft: false | |
9 | --- | |
10 | ||
11 | # A PineWhatNow? | |
12 | If you missed the PineTime blog, [go check it out now](./pinetime-a-promising-open-smartwatch.html). This is an continuation | |
13 | to the previous blog. | |
14 | ||
15 | ## What has changed since? | |
16 | A lot. Let's start by summing up the faults I had last time for PineTime's InfiniTime software. | |
17 | - Touch registration sucks | |
18 | - Bluetooth disconnects | |
19 | - Steps getting lost | |
20 | ||
21 | I am thrilled to say, all of these have been fixed in current master build of InfiniTime. My watch is currently running | |
22 | InfiniTime build 8ab959b (to-be 1.8) from December 20th 2021. To address each concern, I applaud the following PRs and their creators for | |
23 | fixing these two issues: [#688](https://github.com/InfiniTimeOrg/InfiniTime/pull/688), [#625](https://github.com/InfiniTimeOrg/InfiniTime/pull/625) | |
24 | and [#492](https://github.com/InfiniTimeOrg/InfiniTime/pull/492). | |
25 | ||
26 | As for steps getting lost, recently JF002 has added Bluetooth relaying of step count for companion applications. Gadgetbridge | |
27 | was quick to recognize this and added support. For first time in half year, I am able to save and review the amount I've walked | |
28 | or ran during the day. | |
29 | ||
30 | ## Okay, your biggest gripes are dealt with, what else? | |
31 | Bluetooth pairing! Thanks to the amazing work of evergreen22, we can now securely pair PineTime devices. This was a big concern | |
32 | of mine as anyone can initiate a firmware upgrade over Bluetooth and potentially wreck havoc on nearby PineTime watches. | |
33 | Of course that fear is largely unjustified as the market share is extremely tiny that it would be pointless for cybercriminals | |
34 | to target such devices. | |
35 | ||
36 | ## Wishlist | |
37 | Probably more variety of watchfaces and sleep monitoring as it is one of the advertised points on the box. I understand that the | |
38 | original Chinese firmware had that functionality, but so far the FOSS firmware InfiniTime which ships with new PineTime watches | |
39 | lacks the functionality. | |
40 | As for companion applications, I have a gripe with my watch vibrating after I accept an incoming call already - that's one thing I | |
41 | wish that would be fixed. OsmAnd integration would be nice as well. | |
42 | ||
43 | ## Should you buy it? | |
44 | Yes. You shouldn't trust your data to likes of Garmin or Apple. PineTime is a fine wine supported by the passionate community surrounding it. | |
45 | As for normies, maybe wait an half year or so for the wrinkles to be ironed out for smoother experience. | |
46 | ||
47 | ||
48 | Thanks for reading, happy new year and stay based! | |
49 | - Cernodile |