PineTime Is A Linux Smartwatch To Work With The Linux Smartphone

Those who are frequent followers of Linux know that the open-source OS-based smartphones are trying to make a stand in a world where Android and iOS are the current dominants. With Librem 5’s release and PinePhone soon to make its official entry, we have news that a Linux smartphone will soon get a companion in the form of a Linux smartwatch.

PineTime is a Linux smartphone companion

As announced by Pine64 via a tweet, it will be adding a Linux-based smartwatch to its portfolio in addition to the PinePhone and the Pinebook Pro. The upcoming Linux smartwatch will be Pine64’s side-project as declared by the company itself.

This is the #PineTime (actual photo) – a #Linux smartphone companion and a side-project of ours. Are you a @real_FreeRTOS or @ArmMbed developer with an interest in smartwatches? – let us know. pic.twitter.com/j7ygDWNqbD

— PINE64 (@thepine64) September 13, 2019

PineTime Specs

While we don’t have all the official specifications of the PineTime smartwatch with us, we know that it will either run FreeRTOS or Arm Mbed operating systems. 

With a Zync alloy and plastic build, the smartwatch will come with a 20mm wristband and a charging dock.

Much like the smartwatches available on the market, PineTime will come with the ability to monitor heart rate and will support a full touch display with an IPS panel.

PineTime will be powered by the Nordic nRF52832 or the nRF52840 processor and will come with a battery backup of 10 days. However, the battery capacity still remains unknown.

PineTime Availability

The PineTime Linux smartwatch will be priced at $25 with more official details coming our way in October.

For developers, the company has suggested that they can contact them for the developers’ kit, directly via email.

Linux smartphones at a glance

To refresh your memory, Pine64 recently announced its Linux smartphone called the PinePhone. With its availability starting this year, the $149 smartphone will come with an IPS display, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. 

It will be powered by a SOPine module with an Allwinner A64 ARM Cortex-A53 quad-core processor and will run mainline Linux kernel. Furthermore, it will comprise a 5MP rear and 2MP front camera.

Another Linux smartphone is the most recent Librem 5, developed by Purism. The smartphone has i.MX8M quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of eMMC storage, and PureOS. Additionally, the Linux smartphone will come with a 13MP rear snapper and an 8MP front-facing shooter.

PineTime’s entry could help create a Linux ecosystem

As the PineTime smartwatch is termed as a companion to the PinePhone Linux smartphone, this can further inspire an open-source Linux ecosystem which can eventually become mainstream.

This can further lead to various Linux smartwatches’ entry for more compatibility with other Linux smartphone(s).

What are your thoughts on the new PineTime smartwatch? Let us know in the comments below!

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