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Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2025 6:54 pm
by leanLux
For long swartwatches were not taken serious by me.
Now I would like to check what your opions are and if you would recommend anyone specifically to me. So far my research tells me that
- Garmin Forerunner 945
Compatibility: Good
Notes: Supported by open-source tools like garmin-forerunner-toolkit.
- Fitbit Sense
Compatibility: Moderate
Notes: Some third-party tools available; may require technical setup.
- Apple Watch Series 7
Compatibility: Limited
Notes: No official support; limited third-party tools.
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 4
Compatibility: Limited
Notes: No official support; some open-source projects available.
My configuration (seems not important to my question but for completion) is:
Code: Select all
System:
Kernel: 6.14.10-2-liquorix-amd64 [6.14-13~mx23ahs] arch: x86_64 bits: 64 compiler: gcc v: 12.2.0 parameters: audit=0
intel_pstate=disable amd_pstate=disable BOOT_IMAGE=/boot/vmlinuz-6.14.10-2-liquorix-amd64
root=UUID=<filter> ro quiet splash
Desktop: Xfce v: 4.20.0 tk: Gtk v: 3.24.38 info: xfce4-panel wm: xfwm v: 4.20.0 vt: 7
dm: LightDM v: 1.32.0 Distro: MX-23.6_ahs_x64 Libretto April 13 2025 base: Debian GNU/Linux 12
(bookworm)
Machine:
Type: Laptop System: Acer product: Aspire A517-53G v: V2.02 serial: <superuser required>
Mobo: ADL model: Amalthea_ADU v: V2.02 serial: <superuser required> UEFI: Insyde v: 2.02
date: 08/01/2023
Battery:
ID-1: BAT1 charge: 22.4 Wh (100.0%) condition: 22.4/47.8 Wh (46.9%) volts: 12.4 min: 11.2
model: LGC AP18C8K type: Li-ion serial: <filter> status: full
CPU:
Info: model: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P bits: 64 type: MST AMCP arch: Alder Lake level: v3
note: check built: 2021+ process: Intel 7 (10nm ESF) family: 6 model-id: 0x9A (154) stepping: 3
microcode: 0x437
Topology: cpus: 1x cores: 12 mt: 4 tpc: 2 st: 8 threads: 16 smt: enabled cache: L1: 1.1 MiB
desc: d-8x32 KiB, 4x48 KiB; i-4x32 KiB, 8x64 KiB L2: 9 MiB desc: 4x1.2 MiB, 2x2 MiB L3: 18 MiB
desc: 1x18 MiB
Speed (MHz): avg: 2739 high: 3200 min/max: 400/2501 boost: enabled scaling:
driver: acpi-cpufreq governor: ondemand cores: 1: 3200 2: 3200 3: 3200 4: 3200 5: 3148 6: 3171
7: 1799 8: 3142 9: 2500 10: 2500 11: 2330 12: 2499 13: 2501 14: 2500 15: 2436 16: 2501
bogomips: 79872
Flags: avx avx2 ht lm nx pae sse sse2 sse3 sse4_1 sse4_2 ssse3 vmx
Vulnerabilities:
Type: gather_data_sampling status: Not affected
Type: ghostwrite status: Not affected
Type: indirect_target_selection status: Not affected
Type: itlb_multihit status: Not affected
Type: l1tf status: Not affected
Type: mds status: Not affected
Type: meltdown status: Not affected
Type: mmio_stale_data status: Not affected
Type: old_microcode status: Not affected
Type: reg_file_data_sampling mitigation: Clear Register File
Type: retbleed status: Not affected
Type: spec_rstack_overflow status: Not affected
Type: spec_store_bypass mitigation: Speculative Store Bypass disabled via prctl
Type: spectre_v1 mitigation: usercopy/swapgs barriers and __user pointer sanitization
Type: spectre_v2 mitigation: Enhanced / Automatic IBRS; IBPB: conditional; PBRSB-eIBRS: SW
sequence; BHI: BHI_DIS_S
Type: srbds status: Not affected
Type: tsx_async_abort status: Not affected
Graphics:
Device-1: Intel Alder Lake-P GT2 [Iris Xe Graphics] vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: i915
v: kernel alternate: xe arch: Gen-12.2 process: Intel 10nm built: 2021-22+ ports:
active: HDMI-A-1,eDP-1 empty: DP-1,DP-2 bus-ID: 0000:00:02.0 chip-ID: 8086:46a6 class-ID: 0300
Device-2: NVIDIA GA107M [GeForce RTX 2050] vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI driver: N/A
alternate: nouveau non-free: 530.xx+ status: current (as of 2023-03) arch: Turing code: TUxxx
process: TSMC 12nm FF built: 2018-22 bus-ID: 0000:01:00.0 chip-ID: 10de:25a9 class-ID: 0302
Device-3: Quanta ACER HD User Facing type: USB driver: uvcvideo bus-ID: 3-7:3
chip-ID: 0408:4033 class-ID: fe01 serial: <filter>
Display: x11 server: X.Org v: 1.21.1.7 compositor: xfwm v: 4.20.0 driver: X:
loaded: modesetting unloaded: fbdev,vesa dri: iris gpu: i915 display-ID: :0.0 screens: 1
Screen-1: 0 s-res: 3840x1617 s-dpi: 96 s-size: 1017x428mm (40.04x16.85")
s-diag: 1103mm (43.44")
Monitor-1: HDMI-A-1 mapped: HDMI-1 pos: top-right model: Philips FTV serial: <filter>
built: 2009 res: 1920x1080 hz: 60 dpi: 38 gamma: 1.2 size: 1280x720mm (50.39x28.35")
diag: 1469mm (57.8") ratio: 16:9 modes: max: 1920x1080 min: 640x480
Monitor-2: eDP-1 pos: primary,bottom-l model: LG Display 0x0671 built: 2019 res: 1920x1080
hz: 60 dpi: 128 gamma: 1.2 size: 382x215mm (15.04x8.46") diag: 438mm (17.3") ratio: 16:9
modes: 1920x1080
API: OpenGL v: 4.6 Mesa 25.0.4-1~mx23ahs+1 renderer: Mesa Intel Iris Xe Graphics (ADL GT2)
direct-render: Yes
Audio:
Device-1: Intel Alder Lake PCH-P High Definition Audio vendor: Acer Incorporated ALI
driver: sof-audio-pci-intel-tgl alternate: snd_hda_intel, snd_soc_avs, snd_sof_pci_intel_tgl
bus-ID: 0000:00:1f.3 chip-ID: 8086:51c8 class-ID: 0401
API: ALSA v: k6.14.10-2-liquorix-amd64 status: kernel-api tools: alsamixer,amixer
Server-1: PipeWire v: 1.0.0 status: active with: 1: pipewire-pulse status: active
2: wireplumber status: active 3: pipewire-alsa type: plugin 4: pw-jack type: plugin
tools: pactl,pw-cat,pw-cli,wpctl
Network:
Device-1: MEDIATEK MT7921 802.11ax PCI Express Wireless Network Adapter vendor: Lite-On
driver: mt7921e v: kernel modules: wl bus-ID: 0000:2b:00.0 chip-ID: 14c3:7961 class-ID: 0280
IF: wlan0 state: up mac: <filter>
Device-2: Realtek RTL8111/8168/8211/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet vendor: Acer
Incorporated ALI RTL8111/8168/8411 driver: r8169 v: kernel port: 3000 bus-ID: 0000:2c:00.0
chip-ID: 10ec:8168 class-ID: 0200
IF: eth0 state: down mac: <filter>
Bluetooth:
Device-1: Lite-On Wireless_Device type: USB driver: btusb v: 0.8 bus-ID: 3-10:5
chip-ID: 04ca:3802 class-ID: e001 serial: <filter>
Report: hciconfig ID: hci0 rfk-id: 2 state: up address: <filter> bt-v: 3.0 lmp-v: 5.2
sub-v: 2411 hci-v: 5.2 rev: 615
Info: acl-mtu: 1021:6 sco-mtu: 240:8 link-policy: rswitch sniff link-mode: peripheral accept
service-classes: rendering, capturing, object transfer, audio, telephony
RAID:
Hardware-1: Intel Volume Management Device NVMe RAID Controller driver: vmd v: 0.6 port: N/A
bus-ID: 0000:00:0e.0 chip-ID: 8086:467f rev: class-ID: 0104
Drives:
Local Storage: total: 953.87 GiB used: 23.95 GiB (2.5%)
SMART Message: Unable to run smartctl. Root privileges required.
ID-1: /dev/nvme0n1 maj-min: 259:0 vendor: Micron model: 2450 MTFDKBA1T0TFK size: 953.87 GiB
block-size: physical: 512 B logical: 512 B speed: 63.2 Gb/s lanes: 4 type: SSD serial: <filter>
rev: V5MA010 temp: 35.9 C scheme: GPT
Partition:
ID-1: / raw-size: 953.62 GiB size: 937.58 GiB (98.32%) used: 23.95 GiB (2.6%) fs: ext4
dev: /dev/nvme0n1p2 maj-min: 259:2
ID-2: /boot/efi raw-size: 256 MiB size: 252 MiB (98.46%) used: 274 KiB (0.1%) fs: vfat
dev: /dev/nvme0n1p1 maj-min: 259:1
Swap:
Kernel: swappiness: 15 (default 60) cache-pressure: 100 (default)
ID-1: swap-1 type: file size: 4 GiB used: 0 KiB (0.0%) priority: -2 file: /swap/swap
Sensors:
System Temperatures: cpu: 92.0 C mobo: N/A
Fan Speeds (RPM): N/A
Repos:
Packages: pm: dpkg pkgs: 2167 libs: 1074 tools: apt,apt-get,aptitude,nala,synaptic pm: rpm
pkgs: 0 pm: flatpak pkgs: 0
No active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian-stable-updates.list
1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm-updates main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/debian.list
1: deb http://deb.debian.org/debian bookworm main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
2: deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security bookworm-security main contrib non-free non-free-firmware
Active apt repos in: /etc/apt/sources.list.d/mx.list
1: deb http://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/linux/distributions/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo/ bookworm main non-free
2: deb http://ftp.lip6.fr/pub/linux/distributions/mxlinux/packages/mx/repo/ bookworm ahs
Info:
Processes: 386 Uptime: 16h 12m wakeups: 11255 Memory: 15.33 GiB used: 6.93 GiB (45.2%)
Init: SysVinit v: 3.06 runlevel: 5 default: graphical tool: systemctl Compilers: gcc: 12.2.0
alt: 12 Client: shell wrapper v: 5.2.15-release inxi: 3.3.26
Boot Mode: UEFI
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2025 9:31 pm
by j2mcgreg
In my opinion, they are a waste of money. The Fitbit and Garmin models sold here in Canada require annual subscriptions in order to function. I don't have any experience with the others.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 12:52 am
by jj 5117
I would like to be able to use the IoT, without the IoT using me.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:45 am
by Freja
In my opinion, Smart watches make us too busy in no meaning. Many unneeded notices...
I want to shutout life noise with MX.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 4:27 am
by Eadwine Rose
Get a chronic illness.. they'll start making sense.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 5:56 am
by Freja
In the future, I may have chronic illness (have possibility). My smartwatch have meanings when I become an more old man...
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 6:54 am
by richb
Freja wrote: Sat Aug 02, 2025 5:56 am
In the future, I may have chronic illness (have possibility). My smartwatch have meanings when I become an more old man...
I am already an old man. Relatively in good health. But my smartwatch is useful tracking sleep, heart rate, and daily activity (steps and calories).
Garmin Forerunner 235.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 7:49 am
by mxer
No 'smart watch' here, (not even an ordinary one)......& no 'smart phone' either! :D
I 'listen to my body'......no watch needed!
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 8:15 am
by PhantomTramp
Those Dick Tracey watches look pretty cool! When I can get one with Antix on it..
The Tramp
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 8:50 am
by fan_of_LTS
Subscriptions, lack of privacy, one-sided and changeable terms and conditions, cloud dependent servers that can be shut down regardless of previous promises. Big tech is cool!
Or maybe not.
I have an analog wristwatch that works for me. :)
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:08 pm
by duane
My wife and I have Garmin watches. No subscription needed. I wonder if that is a new thing?
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you? [Solved]
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:46 pm
by b3ta
If you're on Android, have a look at
GadgetBridge. It's open source and it cannot send any data anywhere, as it doesn't have (nor does it ask for) network permission.
Of course you'd need to check for compatibility. You also need to understand that it needs an enormous number of permissions in order to be fully functional.
It's available via
F-Droid.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 6:01 pm
by thinkpadx
no - useless!!!
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 2:00 am
by MikeR
Please check:
Betteridge's law of headlines
Seems applicable.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:02 am
by JeffA
Interesting.
However the OP is not a publisher writing headlines attempting to sway public opinion by implying something that may not be true, but simply asking a question in an attempt to learn. The subject of this thread is not a headline, and every question doesn't automatically merit an answer in the negative.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:24 pm
by AVLinux
Hi,
I would think they are a useful tool for some and yet another impulse buy that came to nought for others just like any other technology. As an example Chromebooks are the be all end all for some people and of little practical use for others. My partner has a Garmin smartwatch and she finds it useful, I wouldn't use one myself so I wouldn't buy one. I would agree with @Eadwine Rose that if you have a health condition that requires keeping a close eye on your vitals then they would go from a luxury to a monitoring necessity.
There are no blanket answers to these kind of questions.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:30 pm
by Eadwine Rose
@AVLinux It actually started out as an impulse buy for me, years ago, get that, haha.
Little did I know that my working walking life would end, and I would need to monitor stuff all of a sudden. And meds throughout the day.. that bzztbzzt on my wrist is very welcome. The buzz when my phone rings is as well.. I often don't hear the thing.
So.. what started out as a laugh and funny little gimmick once actually became a handy tool. It is all a matter of how you use it. And if you don't want one, don't get one.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:49 pm
by AVLinux
Eadwine Rose wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:30 pm
@AVLinux It actually started out as an impulse buy for me, years ago, get that, haha.
Little did I know that my working walking life would end, and I would need to monitor stuff all of a sudden. And meds throughout the day.. that bzztbzzt on my wrist is very welcome. The buzz when my phone rings is as well.. I often don't hear the thing.
So.. what started out as a laugh and funny little gimmick once actually became a handy tool. It is all a matter of how you use it. And if you don't want one, don't get one.
I'm very to sorry to hear about that, that sounds like an incredibly difficult change to deal with. Wishing you the best and thank you for keeping us all in line here.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 1:16 pm
by leanLux
Thank you all for your inputs which I actually all agree with - and yes, cause I am unsure I meant the questionmark.
But as interesting as your answers were - only one mentioned an actual brand, so my question is:
IF I should decide to go for such a gadget (cause I have health issues like Eadwine), which brand would you linux users recommend to me?
And please keep in mind: If I buy something then rather something good and therefore nothing anymore for years to come.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:17 pm
by Eadwine Rose
AVLinux wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:49 pm
I'm very to sorry to hear about that, that sounds like an incredibly difficult change to deal with. Wishing you the best and thank you for keeping us all in line here.
It's ok, but thank you
You learn to live with it and find new things to enjoy, among one a wheelchair community in sports. Upside: I am faster than all you walkies
As for brand.. I have found for me the miband does perfectly for what I most need it for
Still on version 6 here.. don't see the need to upgrade, it still works.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:31 pm
by m_pav
Still got my near-new analogue watch which needed a glass replacement just a few weeks after I got it. Had the glass replaced, wore it for 2 days and broke it again. It's been sitting in my bedside drawer for the last 28 years now.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:43 pm
by LU344928
Unless they release one that monitors blood pressure I'm simply not interested.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:14 pm
by razor2021
Just my opinion, smartwatches are only useful if they have a longer battery life. Most models are 1-2 days at maximum. It's for convenience mostly that you don't have to whip out your smartphone to check something quick or be notified. However, due to a short battery life, its a would be nice item, but not a must have item. So far, I prefer the Casio G-Shock Tough Solar watches, as they run forever.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 9:05 pm
by leanLux
Yes, like the compassionate AVLinux I want to share my empathy with your situation, Eadwine.
If you ever feel like it feel free to contact me and I will share how I currently pick myself up also.
Thanks for your miband-brand-tip, also - I would have gotten that stylish one but may go for PineTime for a total different reason: they also sell the STARPro64 module to build an AI environment;
but I guess this is for another thread.
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 11:56 pm
by FullScale4Me
Eadwine Rose wrote: Sat Aug 02, 2025 4:27 am
Get a chronic illness.. they'll start making sense.
My wife had a chinesium watch that measured her blood sugar level semi-continuously. She used to export the date for her quarterly endocrinologist appointments. It had a Apple like (magnetic - 2 buttons) charging cable.
A no-name purchase, I think, was from AliExpress. She's gone now, so no further information.
I don't even wear a watch as I carry a smartphone. I was a flip phone guy up until 2020. Now a chepo (lowest cost aka free) Samsung is fine for me. More features than I'll ever use.....
Re: Do smartwatches make sense to you?
Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 2:01 am
by operadude
Eadwine Rose wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 3:17 pm
AVLinux wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 12:49 pm
I'm very to sorry to hear about that, that sounds like an incredibly difficult change to deal with. Wishing you the best and thank you for keeping us all in line here.
It's ok, but thank you
You learn to live with it and find new things to enjoy, among one a wheelchair community in sports. Upside: I am faster than all you walkies
As for brand.. I have found for me the miband does perfectly for what I most need it for
Still on version 6 here.. don't see the need to upgrade, it still works.
+1
Sending...
