Open source and Smart Watches (no phone)? Advice needed (lemy.lol)

submitted 6 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) by flork@lemy.lol to c/opensource@lemmy.ml

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I'm considering a smart watch for exercise with streaming music and heart monitor without my phone, but have no idea how they work. Do smart watches have their own app store? Is there an f-droid for them?

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[-] randy@lemmy.ca 13 points 6 days ago

I have been using a BangleJS 2 for the last year, and have quite liked it. There is a companion app, Gadgetbridge, to install on your phone, which is available through F-Droid (there is a Bangle-specific version of it, or a generic version that supports a bunch of other smart watches). There is also an app store (all free software) for apps that run on the Bangle itself. It includes a heart monitor, but no music streaming.

I've also been watching rePebble as they start making new Pebble smartwatches. I've never owned one, but a lot of people swear by them. They are now fully open source and have an app store. No idea if they can stream music.

[-] flork@lemy.lol 5 points 6 days ago

Thanks, I think I'm following you. Gadgetbridge will let me use the apps without my phone?

[-] randy@lemmy.ca 10 points 6 days ago

Actually, it's more the opposite. Sorry, I don't think I explained too well. The watch works just fine on its own without a smartphone. For functions that require phone and watch working together, Gadgetbridge lets them communicate (e.g. when you receive a text message on your phone, Gadgetbridge will let you read the text on your watch).

The apps on the watch will work with or without a smartphone. However, installing apps from the Bangle app loader requires the watch have a Bluetooth connection to a phone or computer. After apps are installed, they will run even without the Bluetooth connection.

Finally, note that the Bangle does not have an internet connection on its own; it has no cellular or wi-fi radios on board. So any apps that require a network connection (e.g. weather) will only work when paired to a phone with Gadgetbridge. I think there are other watches with wi-fi, but I'm not familiar with them.