GrapheneOS on Pixel Watch Series?

LotsofYs

I was just wondering, whether the project has any aspirations to extend their scope to providing GrapheneOS on the Pixel Watch series as supplement for a privacy concerned smartwatch ;)

That would be quite astonishing.

akc3n

We don't plan to support the Pixel Watch, despite its support for alternate operating systems. The code for a wearable OS is mostly absent from AOSP and significantly behind in current development. WearOS is developed as an internal fork, making it impractical for us to commit to supporting the Pixel Watch due to the massive amount of work required and far too much of it not being open source as part of AOSP.

MoonshineMidnight

akc3n Totally understand why developers are not doing it. All I want is simple text/call/email/Signal/Cheo-XMPP notifications as to whether to ignore or respond on my phone. I have never used an Android watch, but my GF loves hers for the basic reasons I mentioned with her stock Android. I doubt there are any privacy enough friendly basic models out there. Do they even work with GOS?

LotsofYs

akc3n I've just read that the bootloader is not unlockable on the pixel watch. Is this not the case for the pixel watch 2 or at all anymore?

kopolee11

MoonshineMidnight Yes they work. You usually have to install the Google Play Store and a specific app in order for all features to work however.

SimonD

LotsofYs I've just read that the bootloader is not unlockable on the pixel watch

I have not tried fastboot, but I can enable OEM unlock in developer options.

sonicbackdrop

I'm looking for a privacy-respecting solution for a smartwatch as well. I actually think privacy is even more important on a smartwatch than a phone.

I currently have a Galaxy Watch that I modded to unlock extra features, but I'm still trying to get it set up to sync to my phone. Samsung's requirements for that are absurd. You have to jump through a bunch of hoops if you want to use a non-Samsung device. You have to create a Samsung account, and they try to ban temp emails and get you to use a phone number for 2FA. They force you to use a phone number when setting up their Health app. It needs to be on the owner profile. It needs access to your phone records and contacts, access to nearby devices, etc. The hardening process has been enough work I'm considering just giving up and switching to something else.

If I were to guess, Garmin would be the least onerous when it comes to privacy issues? I don't really know much about Amazfit, though.

vcmj

sonicbackdrop I made the plunge to Garmin due to not wearing my Samsung watch enough for it to be useful(kept forgetting to charge it, Instinct 2 Solar has insane battery life)
Garmin is indeed a bit better for privacy, allowing you to completely revoke consent to store anything on their cloud, and the watches can operate fine on their own though of course you don't get the AI health insight stuff.
Probably important to mention in this community though, Garmin security is non existent. My model doesn't even have a lock screen.
I'd take precautions to not put anything sensitive on their watches. Hardware is beautiful though.

sonicbackdrop

vcmj Thanks for the info. After doing some research just now I think my preferred route is going to be either a watch compatible with Gadgetbridge to sync data only locally to my phone, or Garmin without the cloud. I'll keep in mind Garmin security.

I did find AsteroidOS, though, which is an interesting start as an alternative OS.

SimonD

vcmj watches can operate fine on their own though of course you don't get the AI health insight stuff

What info is available without their AI (what is removed due to no network)? I am interested in healt data, fitness info, sleep data.

NetRunner88

sonicbackdrop
Asteroid user here. Well. At least I tried. (Huawei Watch)
Lack of update, lack of compatibility, lack of functionality.
To explain further.
It is difficult to have a proper watch on which everything is functional.
Those with 5/5 compatibility rating are very old now.
It is not the Asteroid devs fault at all they do their best I am convinced.
Those platform are hard to work with and there is a lack in interest from people AND makers.

The actual "good" option for a watch with decent functionality that is not too old is the Ticwatch Pro 2018/2020.
But still has lack of usefulness.

I paste the link to the Asteroid related page :
https://asteroidos.org/watches/catfish/

I have used my Asteroid powered watch for almost 2 years. Sadly I didn't see any benefit. Went back with an old fashioned dumb watch.

mortuary_jab

If you're looking for an open-source, hackable smartwatch, you should look at Bangle JS2. I have one, not the most advanced but a more privacy centric option. If it's just calls/texts/notifications you want then it's perfect really. It has a lot of apps too for other stuff.

hdishs

On this page on reddit there is a discussion about changing the firmware to Withings products

https://www.reddit.com/r/withings/s/qYxJOblmKH

(if that were the case it would be very good since Withings not only has hybrid watches, it has scales, and sensors of all kinds, even one that analyzes your urine)