Pine64 Confirms $25 'PineTime' Smartwatch for Linux Smartphones (liliputing.com) 43
Besides their Linux laptops, single-board computers, and tablets, Pine64 is now also working on "PineTime," a new $25 smartwatch for Linux smartphones running open source software (and based on either ARM Mbed or FreeRTOS), reports Liliputing.com:
The company describes the PineTime watch as a companion for Linux smartphones... you know, like the company's upcoming $150 PinePhone. For either or both of those reasons, it could appeal to folks who may not have wanted in on the smartphone space until now...
The PineTime uses an existing watch body that's used by other device makers, but Pine64 is choosing custom internal hardware. The PineTime will support Bluetooth 5.0, a heart rate monitor, and multi-day battery life and the watch features a zinc alloy & plastic case and comes with a charging dock...
At this point the PineTime is described as a side project, which means it's not a top priority for Pine64. While the company says the picture above is an actual photo of a prototype, Pine64 is still seeking software developers interested in contributing to the project, and the company's primary focus at this point will still be other upcoming devices like the PineBook Pro laptop and PinePhone smartphone.
The PineTime uses an existing watch body that's used by other device makers, but Pine64 is choosing custom internal hardware. The PineTime will support Bluetooth 5.0, a heart rate monitor, and multi-day battery life and the watch features a zinc alloy & plastic case and comes with a charging dock...
At this point the PineTime is described as a side project, which means it's not a top priority for Pine64. While the company says the picture above is an actual photo of a prototype, Pine64 is still seeking software developers interested in contributing to the project, and the company's primary focus at this point will still be other upcoming devices like the PineBook Pro laptop and PinePhone smartphone.
First in the retard olympics, you mean? (Score:1)
These things are bought as jewelry. Even a useless slab of rock at $2000 would be the most popular, solely because of its prize. Add one of those sticker that look like the underside of a CD, and you'll be rich!
Re: (Score:3)
I'd rather something in the opposite direction. I have one of the basic Sony SmartBands. No screen (why would I need a second screen?). To me, it's just a bluetooth tether to my phone so I don't lose it (vibrates if I get too far), a way to page my phone from a distance (if it's lost in the couch cushions or whatnot), a way to be alerted to calls or other notifications if I don't have my phone on me (vibrates on incoming), etc. Also functions as a fitbit, but I don't care about that.
My main complaint is
Re: (Score:1)
Amazfit bip. Even with everything switched on the battery lasts for 2 weeks. 4 if you aren't interested in your heart rate. Also has an always on screen.
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Well I can verify that it has an always on display as i've been wearing one on my wrist for a month now and it's definitely always on! I believe it's a transflective display which relies on the light shining on it to allow it to be visible (when the backlight is off). It's not the highest resolution which probably also saves on power.
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At $25, this is the opposite of jewelry. It's in a common case so it won't look special, and it's cheap so no one will be impressed even if they recognize it. And it doesn't have to be treated like it's precious since... It isn't. If you destroy it, no big deal.
If it actually makes good on its promises, it will be the only smart watch i would actually consider. The other ones offer too little for the price.
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I think you're referring to Apple fanbois. They will buy any overpriced Apple jewelry.
I think the Pine watch is aiming at a different market... people who just want something that works.
Also, the Pine64 organization is not really interested in profits. They build stuff using open source and sell it to cover their costs. They're a bunch of geeks who don't really care about taking over the market and they don't care if you don't buy anything from them.
Still don't get the point of one-trick gadgets. (Score:1, Interesting)
Not a trick (Score:5, Insightful)
already have an universal computing device in my pocket. Why would I want a device just for a single function?
You wouldn't.
Now combine that with the understanding that Apple Watch sells very well, and come back to us with a new conclusion...
Even the Pine watch sure seems like you could do more than a "single function" with it, since it too has a heat-rate monitor and looks possibly fairly programmable, if weak.
If nothing else consider the value as a status indicator you can observe far more easily than your phone screen, that is tied more or less to your phone.
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I stopped wearing a watch a few years ago but I'm getting tired of digging out my phone and turning it on just to see the time. (I am not constantly looking at my phone for Facebook, etc.)
I think the idea of a "wristwatch" is great. Nice if it has additional functionality.
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I prefer a fitness tracker. The battery life tends to be much better, basically a week instead of a day for a smart watch. The fitness stuff is the only stuff I'm interested in anyway, I can live without notifications and making phone calls Dick Tracey style.
Re: Still don't get the point of one-trick gadgets (Score:2)
If it could be used as a security key with support for fido2 over bluetooth I'd buy one.
NSA leaks FIDO you mean? (Score:1)
No thanks.
Re: NSA leaks FIDO you mean? (Score:2)
Curious as to how you figure fido is backdoored? Extraordinary claims requiring extraordinary evidence.
Re: (Score:1)
You know what actually indicates insecurity? Posturing like yours.
Re:Still don't get the point of one-trick gadgets. (Score:5, Interesting)
I already have an universal computing device in my pocket.
Which is great, until it beeps or vibrates. Who could it be? Someone important? That email you're waiting for? Or just another spam message? Well, better take out the phone and see what's up. Repeat for 50 times a day. If this is you, then a smart watch is a handy thing. If this is not you, then you are not their target market, and good day to you.
Why would I want a device just for a single function?
With my pebble watch, it tells the time 24/7, shows messages, allows me to decline/accept calls, allows me to send "I'm busy" / "call me in 5", "I'll call you back", back to callers or messengers, lets me skip/pause/play tracks on my phone that's connected to a bluetooth speaker, etc etc. It also keeps a track of my daily exercise, sleep patterns and hear rate, and will buzz me if I'm being too slack, and that's when I go out and enjoy some nature.
Anyway, that's why a lot of people have these crazy things strapped to their wrists.
Re: (Score:2)
With my pebble watch, it tells the time 24/7, shows messages, allows me to decline/accept calls, allows me to send "I'm busy" / "call me in 5", "I'll call you back", back to callers or messengers, lets me skip/pause/play tracks on my phone that's connected to a bluetooth speaker, etc etc. It also keeps a track of my daily exercise, sleep patterns and hear rate, and will buzz me if I'm being too slack, and that's when I go out and enjoy some nature.
I think one of the interesting things about smartwatches is that until you actually /get/ one and see how big an impact all these little things have when you put them together, people just don't get it. I was basically like that until I got one as a gift and now I cannot imagine life without it, just on the sheer number of times it saves me having to touch my phone on a daily basis.
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I already have an universal computing device in my pocket.
Which is great, until it beeps or vibrates. Who could it be? Someone important? That email you're waiting for? Or just another spam message? Well, better take out the phone and see what's up. Repeat for 50 times a day. If this is you, then a smart watch is a handy thing. If this is not you, then you are not their target market, and good day to you.
Why would I want a device just for a single function?
With my pebble watch, it tells the time 24/7, shows messages, allows me to decline/accept calls, allows me to send "I'm busy" / "call me in 5", "I'll call you back", back to callers or messengers, lets me skip/pause/play tracks on my phone that's connected to a bluetooth speaker, etc etc. It also keeps a track of my daily exercise, sleep patterns and hear rate, and will buzz me if I'm being too slack, and that's when I go out and enjoy some nature.
Anyway, that's why a lot of people have these crazy things strapped to their wrists.
And "crazy" is the right word for it. I still don't understand them, or why people want them. I understand how they are used, but I still don't get the "why". At work, I am connected enough, and I am busy enough, for 9 hours a day. There is no way I would let my personal life get that busy. I just won't, it isn't worth it.
It seems to me that people are constantly living by the moment instead of living in the moment. I think people in general need to connect less to technology more often.
PINE (Score:1)
pine is not elm
Android compatibility? (Score:1)
Will there be an Android app for it as well? I miss my pebble and this looks interesting.
$25? Good luck (Score:1)
For $25 you'll have a watch that runs for an hour and is made out of cardboard.
Vastly underestimating production cost. (Score:1)
Yeah, there is still a whole chain of people making a killing off of those!
Take away all those profits, and the prices become literally unbelievable.
You can definitely build a retardwatch for $25. Case: 20 cents, 3-7 day battery: 30-80 cents, SBC+board: $1-2, TN 300DPI color display: $1, manual assembly: 10 cent, shipping: 50 cent (in total), advertisement, manager pay & profit: $20.40-$21.90.
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We prefer the term differently-abled-watch.
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Out of curiosity I bought a smartwatch for $11 a couple of years ago. It has a plastic body with a metal bezel, a surprisingly responsive glass capacitive touchscreen and the basic functions you would expect. The battery life is only about a day, but that's the same as the Apple Watch and other much more expensive smartwatches.
Years later, for more than double the price it's not beyond belief that they can make something better.
Re:$25? Good luck (Score:5, Informative)
If you had clicked on the link you'd know it is based on an existing product:
https://www.aliexpress.com/ite... [aliexpress.com]
All they have to do is sell it 'unlocked' to make it community hackable.
But they are making the effort to upgrade the screen to a touchscreen, and possibly update the chipset to the new NRF52840.
There's already a community of people running Arduino on these cheap smart watches.
https://github.com/curtpw/nRF5... [github.com]
Some of these projects are amazing. Take for example this medical researchers who turns them into, amongst other things, really affordable EEG devices:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
Pine seems to be good at making cheap open source hardware, so there is enough to be excited about.
Re: (Score:3)
Waiting for the Pine Phone (Score:3)
I'm stilllllllllllllllll waiting for the Pine Phone, which is supposedly almost-practically-imminent-sort-of:
Pine Phone [pine64.org]
It looks very interesting and for the first time in ages I actually have some interest in buying a new phone. Their laptops also look like a lot of bang for the buck. I'm sorely tempted to buy one of them just to be able to fool around with it and see what it can do.
Re: Waiting for the Pine Phone (Score:2)
Their LTE chip actually supports band 13, so this is the first of the new linux phone that can be used outside of urban corridors in the US.
If it can run as a hotspot I'll get one to put a firewall between the baseband radio and my Android apps.
I'd be very interested (Score:2)
I'd be very interested indeed. Currently I'm wearing a Xiaomi Mi Band 4. For those who don't know, here's a review from Android Central:
https://www.androidcentral.com... [androidcentral.com]
It's billed as a fitness tracker but the only thing I use it for, is notifications and alarm. You can set your phone silent, and pass the notifications to your Mi Band. You won't miss them, and you won't have to take out your phone all the time.
It's a pretty great smartwatch but the big problem is the company: Xiaomi. It's basically an adver
Good idea.... (Score:2)
In development too long, Bluetooth 4? 5Mpix camera? Surely they can do better than this, I can get a Nokia 6.1 for same price and the specs are way better.
If you're going to bring out a product like this, you need to get it out of the gate faster because the tech changes that fast you will be stuck with sub standard parts that no one will buy.
I want it now! (Score:2)
Seems pretty interesting. I'd definitely get one, provided that the battery life is measured in weeks and that it is easily hackable.
The mentioned MCU is a microcontroller with program in flash and only up to 64 KB of RAM. That would be enough for a feature-device with tight code but not for running apps.
I have never thought that apps on a smart-watch would be a good idea anyway: if a smartwatch is a companion-device to a smartphone anyway, then the phone could do the heavy lifting and the watch could act k
It's just for tinkering. (Score:2)
just shows (Score:2)
this just shows how overpriced all those smartwatches on the market today are.
Could this be the year? (Score:2)
The year of Linux on the wrist-top?
Finally! (Score:3)
Someone understands the real market value of Apple Watch type devices.
Cool for projects (Score:2)
For example the screen as a mini dashboard for a server you have running.
Remote on/off for, say, 6 lights
Etc
Cool for experimenting