So I want te find the most feature rich smartwatch that doesn’t send data to the manufacure. I have tried the Pinetime watch, but it died after 6 months.
Infinitytime (OS) was not realy that feature rish, so I want to secrufise an Open Source watch OS. But I still want to connect it with Open Source software, like gadged bridge.
What is my best option under €200? Maybe the Xioami Mi band 7 (€50) that is supported by gadgedbrigde?
What features are these, that are useful and not novelty for the first 2 weeks of “new shiny product” honeymoon period?
Controlling music without taking out your phone, health stuff like heart rate sesnor or sleep recording or whatever that’s called, being able to switch clock designs when you get bored of it
You can play/pause/forward/rewind music with basically any wireless earbuds (another e-waste device like smartwatch), and even wired audio gear (what you should buy) can play/pause/forward, and if you buy a Bluetooth DAC like one from Fiio, you have an accessory that lasts across multiple audio gear with a far more granular control.
A heart rate sensor device is extremely cheap to get, and lasts 10x longer than any smartwatch ever will.
If you cannot figure out basic mathematics of sleep cycles, then a smartwatch will be unable to help you. You are better off paying for the best alarm clock app, Gentle Wakeup ($6), than buying any smartwatch for “sleep recording”. That app will last a literal lifetime on Android. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fY6J97K67E There you go, your sleep issues are fixed unless you have sleep disorders or medical conditions.
Switching clock designs on a device that will become e-waste in 3 years is the most horrific idea you could give to anyone, to justify buying a smartwatch. A smartwatch looks very ugly compared to any classy authentic watch with a stainless steel or chrome strap, and is incomparably durable as well.
Here is an alternative Piped link(s):
https://www.piped.video/watch?v=-fY6J97K67E
Piped is a privacy-respecting open-source alternative frontend to YouTube.
I’m open-source; check me out at GitHub.
throwing it away in 3 years is the best feature
* if you use it carefully as intended under lab conditions
You might get 2 years at best with rough use. The fact that these corporations have made advanced throwaway novelty junk for people to consume more, and people happily accept it, is mind boggling.
For me it’s easily paying subway fare, seeing notifications, leaving my phone home for a quick errand (but could make a call if absolutely necessary). I have a small child, so having hands free abilities is great. If I could degoogle it and run only open source linux/android, I would. But nfc payments will never work with such a thing even if the software existed.
There are not many people that can be so crafty and clever with making use of these shiny novelty gadgets. If you really are in the teeny tiny percentage of people that genuinely leverage them to improve life quality, only then is it worth for you to buy these things.
Most people, unlike you, simply do not leverage them, and purchase them as a trashy substitute for a great traditional longlasting watch, or as a fashion/trend accessory.
I ride a motocycle and listen to books in my helmet, I got a pinetime (great btw) so I can control my audio and have gps. Other then gluing a phone to my gas tank (I have done, its not safe or good) there is not really an option other then a watch.