Support for Wearable Computing Accessories
asked 2014-01-05 06:01:59 +0200
Of the things that I'd like to see with the development of SailfishOS - especially how Jolla has designed it such that at the setup screen that you can select what kinds of applications are present after setup - is the addition of a collection of APIs (and/or applications) which enable easy connectivity and management of various wearable computing accessories.
I see this support happening in two frames:
- motion tracking
- extended interfaces
Motion Tracking Devices
These devices include smartwatches (Pebble, Basis, Metawatch, etc.) and activity trackers (Fitbit, Polar Loop, etc.). The basic framework for this frame of reference would include:
- Sending/receiving notification data from mobile to wearable
- Storing motion, accelerometer, and status data from wearable to storage framework on the device that can be sent to a web service with nothing more than the device being authenticated to the service (this would obviously not as featured as a full app; leaving the door open for devs/companies to make a premium service option which may include a native app)
- sending firmware updates to wearable
Extended Interfaces
This would include devices such as headsets, headphones, automobiles, keyboards, wireless projectors/monitors, etc. The basic framework for this frame would include:
- managing the connection
- giving basic "wand" capability to the mobile (wand: the mobile becomes a controller for the item its connected to)
- enabling other applications to plug into these devices without the dev having to write all of the base functionality themselves; but leaving room for custom apps which might do a bit more, yet can be accessed/managed from a central interface
This kind of framework, something that would work like the Android Support package, would allow for SailfishOS to be marketed a bit easier to current wearable companies who'd see an option in SailfishOS devices, but probably have so far seen too much of a hurdle towards making something native that's of definitive value - against simply addressing compatibility by porting their current Android apps/services.
Allowing for this kind of centralized setup (account and device management inside of a sub-profile that's user manageable), allows for a focus of API compatibility on the side of SailfishOS, rather than application and service updates which take more time/resources.
Personally, I'd just like to see SailfishOS support the wearable device I own (a Polar Loop) but I realize that asking for supporting just one device is too short-term of thinking, and doesn't push the community forward. Asking for an entire framework that almost lives within itself, is where making SailfishOS and native apps/services on it most relevant.
Done well, its an evolution of the Accounts function on the N9 and the plugin-like abilities seen on FirefoxOS.
For fitbit there is already galileo. It's python, so it should work. Shouldn't it?
NikosAlexandris ( 2014-03-21 06:03:22 +0200 )editIt would be enough a proper Bluetooth working, so that proprietary Android apps, like MI FIT could connect to the respective wearable. (MI FIT is the Xiamomi app to handle the MI Bands.)
Actually I get a "no bluetooth 4.0" message on all SF OS XA2, even if the hardware is ready and working under Android.
Waiting for a new module or framework, I think that allow the access to apps working in the Android layers is the short term solution.
minojolla ( 2019-10-30 13:01:07 +0200 )editIs there a Sailfish X activity, sleep, fitness tracker app that works? What is the preferred wearable? I found the Rockpool app, but it only mentions Pebble. It would be great if we could use android apps, but since they don't have access to bluetooth (as far as I know) that doesn't work (yet).
Jozz ( 2019-12-30 14:39:08 +0200 )edit