Post
Werner frees his wrist!(?)
A thread about me trying to install Linux on a smart watch.
Emphasis on trying, I'm a nerd, but this is not what I usually do. I have used Linux, and I have used ADB on my Android phones. But I need guides, and if a guide doesn't work I don't automatically know what to try next. So it will be me trying to follow a guide. And look for answers. Maybe give up. Maybe brick the device.
#Norsktut #Allheimen #Linux #Smartwatch #AsteroidsOS #FreeYourWrist #Privacy
Prelude:
On Tuesday (October 7th) I suddenly thought about my old Polar M600 training watch. I stopped using it when a new Privacy Policy from Polar said "we will now send your health data to the USA".
I wondered if I could use it in some way, maybe connect it to another app on my phone? I found https://gadgetbridge.org but then the thought left my mind and I would probably not have thought about this more.
Prelude (cont.):
That was until, THE VERY NEXT DAY, I saw a (re)toot here on Mastodon.
The content? There exists a Linux OS for smart watches! It's called Asteroid OS https://asteroidos.org/
And what's more? Among the 22 supported watches is my very own Polar M600!!!
The universe clearly wanted me to do this. So, I will try! And I wanted to document the process and my experiences.
I had my first attemp yesterday.
My M600 has the codename pike at Asteroid OS. I read through the wiki and the install instructions. Then I went to work.
On my first attempt I'm using my Windows machine.
Download Asteroid files ✅
Download ADB ✅
Download Google USB drivers ✅
Look at me go!
Install Google USB drivers ❌
Fuck!
So, apparently when I connect my watch to the PC it does not show up in the file manager or in the device manager.
The install instructions for the USB drivers tells me to right click the device in device manager and install that way (point to the folder with the download drivers).
But there is no device to be selected under "other".
To the internet i go!
I found one Reddit thread saying "yeah, you probably won't find it"
First time I'm about to give up!
Ok, but I hear Windows making the "new device connected" sound, so maybe it's somehow there?
I open CMD, go to my ADB folder and just try to execute the first command in the guide. It fails a few times, I need to give it access through the firewall(?).
I reread the instructions. Acknowledge on the watch. The screen keeps turning off (screensaver) and sending a command does not light up the screen!
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