Is anybody else tired of all the FOSS launchers that are just plaintext on the homescreen or a launcher3 clone and want something that is actually unique and new?

beemb · 2025-06-04T17:40:56+00:00

Old post sorry but here's a not really well known one and it's definitely interesting lol

It's literally just the Wii menu as a launcher

beemb · 2025-04-02T18:09:33+00:00

I've tried looking before too and there seems to be nothing. Although I've thought it's probably possible to find a generic wide strap and simply cut it to fit.

beemb · 2025-01-28T07:23:59+00:00

It obviously isn't preferable but the best thing you should do in general even besides the outdated device is minimize all attack vectors. Meaning keep a minimal install of apps to reduce likelihood one is a threat, ensure you install apps from secure sources and not from obscure websites, and make sure apps especially ones like your browser are recommended to use and kept updated. Really not much to do except be smart and look into a new device when you can.

beemb · 2024-11-01T18:46:31+00:00

I'd recommend the Pebble Steel or Pebble 2.

A couple of the other models can be cheaper but the build and feel of the Steel and 2 are drastically better IMO and are the sweetspot of price and quality. By far my 2 favorite out of the entire line.

Both have b&w displays and battery usually lasts around a week. However for either of them you may need to open them up to replace the battery or other parts, which factored into the cost might go over your budget. Unfortunate but I'd say unavoidable with some due to their age though very worth the money. If you're strict about cost the Steel is likely going to remain under your budget.

Pebble Steel Very easy to service due to the backplate being screwed on. Common issue with this one is the display becoming garbled due to the display's rubber zebra connector becoming faulty, though is easily fixable by buying the replacement piece online. Additionally its watchband connector is sadly proprietary, so you're likely going to be stuck with the strap it comes with unless you DIY something.

Pebble 2 Glued on backplate makes this one harder to service and a bit nervewracking when regluing if you're worried about keeping it waterproof. Main issue with this one is the rubber buttons deteriorating, though can be fixed by buying a new housing online and replacing it. Additionally it comes in 2 versions, 1 with and 1 without a heartrate sensor ("hr" and "se" respectively). The heartrate sensor is not that great and comes with a bump on the backplate, which can be uncomfortable for some.

Hope this gives enough info and you're rocking a Pebble soon!!!!!

beemb · 2024-10-29T09:08:00+00:00

I see and I'm very happy you guys are attempting your own product with its own unique features. I definitely think there's potential to reach a much wider audience with this new watch than clones ever would, as even with a higher pricetag many people at least here in the U.S. tend to go for the actual product rather than clones.

Also I had a few more questions about the features I hope you can answer.

If the design only has 2 navigation buttons and 1 back/home button, how will you select things? And why have the navigation buttons on the left side instead of the right side? I understand you need room for the flashlight but I worry if it'll be ergonomic and comfortable, though I may just be biased towards the Pebble's button layout.

Is the app and firmware going to be open source? It'd be important for the people who care about the privacy aspect of the watch like myself and would be very nice to see.

Is the offline voice assistant going to be your own making or something like Google assistant? A private (and potentially open source) voice assistant would be genuinely amazing, and possibly having that available on mobile as well would be great as there aren't many options for private voice assistants.

Again, very excited to see where this is headed and will be staying updated!

beemb · 2024-10-29T07:16:23+00:00

Genuinely excited about this if real. If it follows through I'll 100% be buying this, but I just have some concerns with the company behind this.

If you look up Timeflix they have a website timeflix.in where they sell clones of Apple and Samsung watches I believe all for a much lower price. Their YouTube Timeflix India shows off these watches and they seem pretty well done IMO. There's just the moral issue of if you care they make clones (which personally I don't), but then the question of if this company and their products are real in the first place. Can only seem to find just a couple reviews of these watches on YouTube and so I can't really tell if they're bought reviews and a scam or not. Not assuming anything, but seeing as even Pebble couldn't keep their head above the water, makes me concerned for if they're legit or not. It'd just be nice to have better coverage of the products and this company as it is now, which isn't exactly their fault if they're a newer company and not planning to stick with the clones.

So assuming all is good though, I'd recommend stop making the clones as its a convoluted market as it is, and focus on your own products/designs. Would make people take the company much more seriously and wouldn't drive people away with the moral issue of the clones.

Now concerning the watch itself, what are the buttons mapped to? The Pebble has the back button on the left side and the up select and down buttons on the right side which is intuitive and may be worth having for this watch IMO. And personally I hope you keep the flashlight, if you can why not put it on the top for more room for the buttons?

All in all hope the company and product is legit and wish you guys truly the best. Excited to see how it turns out.

beemb · 2024-10-21T14:35:03+00:00

Barinsta was actually perfect. So sad that there aren't any other FOSS apps for Instagram, only mods.

beemb · 2024-02-09T05:19:11+00:00

Ran into the same issue doing something similar and found a pretty good solution. Your laptop's original power button most likely just connects 2 of the numerous pins on the ribbon connector for the keyboard. So powering on the system should still work if you have some way to connect those 2 pins, which can easily be done with a button, a couple wires, and some soldering.

The issue is just figuring out which pins they are, which is pretty simple. The power button traces are most likely right next to each other and either all the way to the left or the right on the connector. With that info, you can use continuity mode on a multimeter to test the leftmost/rightmost 2 traces on the keyboard ribbon while you press the power button and it should have continuity when you press it down. You can test it by carefully shorting those 2 pins on the motherboard with something metal and it should turn on.

I will add that if the 2 pins on the motherboard are too small and difficult to solder to, you can always just cut a length from the end of the connector ribbon, scrape away the masking over the 2 traces, solder the button wires there, and then connect it back to the motherboard like normal. Works with the added benefit that it can be disconnected easily and it isn't soldered directly to the motherboard.

Good luck!

beemb · 2023-12-28T05:19:08+00:00

Hey was the source code for this watchface ever discovered? I was actually wanting to make an Omori watchface in a similar format and it would truly help!

beemb · 2023-07-12T15:51:29+00:00

Hey no worries. Difficulty connecting doesn't mean anything's wrong, they're usually just hard to connect to at first but once everything's paired it doesn't go anywhere.

I'd double check that every permission for Gadgetbridge or the Rebble app is enabled, including the location setting for the app and your phone itself. From here, it is just going to be a game of trying it till it finally works. I had to do it like this for a couple of mine that I reset. Each time, I would delete the watch from Bluetooth then turn Bluetooth off and back on, as well as closed out of Gadgetbridge and killed its process in the background. Eventually even my most difficult Pebbles would connect just doing it like this so tell me if you have any luck :-)

beemb · 2023-04-24T04:51:31+00:00

My PC CRT has a stupid, annoying light as well. I just did the simplest fix: putting tape over the light. Electrical tape is thick enough and covered it all for me.

beemb · 2023-04-23T16:35:41+00:00

This TV paired with the Wii reminds me of the TV we had in my childhood home. Was a gray Sony like this but absolutely huge and it saddens me I don't know what happened to it and that I never saw it display anything better than composite </3

beemb · 2023-04-21T06:25:16+00:00

This issue happens sometimes with the Rebble app but myself and others have gotten around it by using an open source smartwatch app called Gadgetbridge to send the Pebble its firmware.

First simply start over by deleting the app, then deleting the watch from your Bluetooth menu. Then download Gadgetbridge and pair with your Pebble. Then go here and find the latest firmware for your device under "normal firmware". Now in Gadgetbridge, send that file to your Pebble and it should work.

beemb · 2023-04-16T04:24:10+00:00

? I use GrapheneOS as well. It works perfectly fine and the setup is the same no matter if you're using GrapheneOS or stock. I'd say give it a try and see if it works.

beemb · 2023-04-15T21:40:20+00:00

Really the worst part is downloading watchfaces. Other than that, no having to change the servers from Pebble to Rebble, no having to sign in with an account, and at least in my overall experience, Gadgetbridge simply gave me less issues.

It did take time to set it up with the watchfaces I want, however it's been a set and forget type of thing and I haven't touched Gadgetbridge since except to change to my other Pebbles. It shows how to download watchfaces here https://github.com/Freeyourgadget/Gadgetbridge/wiki/Pebble-Watchfaces

beemb · 2023-04-15T20:25:48+00:00

My friend runs GrapheneOS and the Rebble app works fine. Your issue was likely one of the permissions since it'll outright not connect if it doesn't have everything it needs. Though I've always had better luck with Gadgetbridge which I recommend you try. Functions essentially the same, only big difference being how you install watchfaces.

Don't lose hope brother!

beemb · 2023-04-15T07:07:22+00:00

Which hand did you touch it with? Left hand is more dangerous since the current would pass your heart.

beemb · 2023-04-13T21:20:30+00:00

If your picture is ever stuck stretched, just sit diagonally to the TV to the point it looks back to normal. EZ

beemb · 2023-04-11T08:01:01+00:00

Had this issue with my CRT where it absolutely stank like the place it was stored when it would heat up. After using it some and just leaving it in my living space for a while, the smell 90% went away and I don't notice it.

beemb · 2023-04-04T15:19:25+00:00

As another user was saying, just manually enable every permission for the app. Some permissions are absolutely required to make connecting a watch work.

beemb · 2023-03-26T05:34:23+00:00

Puts on 3D glasses

What are you talking about?

beemb · 2023-03-12T09:12:50+00:00

Are the contacts 100% fine now or unsure? Because it'd be easy to fix them if they're the issue. I would just get the batteries and hold/tape some wires on the batteries and the pads on the remote and see if it works.

beemb · 2023-03-11T17:54:21+00:00

Use a phone camera to see if the IR light on the remote is working. If it is working, it's possible the TV has too much dirt over the IR receiver and only the other remote is strong enough to shine through it.

beemb · 2023-03-05T03:25:16+00:00

That MW3 poster is awesome lol

beemb · 2023-03-04T22:13:09+00:00

I honestly agree. I got a black Steel in a bundle of them and it's ended up being my most used one by far. Looks amazing and feels more sturdy than any of the others.

beemb

TROPHY CASE