Bought a new toy today. Was looking for a nice watch to replace pebble. Mainly I need good notification handling, long battery life and always-on screen.
Now this is a nice device, however it is heavily focused on fitness. Problem is, I don't care about that a tiny bit and this is really irritating.
So, is it possible to completely disable sports part and only use it as notification device?
Let's start about watch faces. Is there a face without symbols of foot and heart, but showing total notification count instead?
Good question .... indeed for me the same "notification" priority instead of "sports" ....
Have you seen "Watch Droid Assistant"? It does enhanced notifications and lets you read past notifications, so you may want that.
You can also turn off the widgets for sports stuff in the phone app.
Not sure about having a notification count on the watchface, but you can get loads of custom faces online (lots here https://sawfb.fabiobarbon.click/ ) so you can have one that's less sport focused if you like. Just plug the watch into a PC and drop the watchfaces into the WatchFaces folder.
I should mention that I also just got this watch today so I am still learning, but it seems good so far.
I'm looking for the exact same thing! I have a personal phone and a company phone. I bought this watch only for the company phone so that way I can quickly get alerts about calls, texts and emails. But, I don't want any of the sports/health/fit/whateveryoucallit features on the phone.
Anyone been able to accomplish this? I checked every setting I could find and disable it, but I was hoping there would be a hard switch for it.
There is no way nor need to disable the fitness features, simply make sure continuous heart rate isn't enabled, as well as "Activity reminders" in Settings, then if you don't start to record an activity it will oy register steps, what cannot be disabled and doesn't affect anything else.
The best experience for notifications on Pace/Stratos/Verge is AmazMod + SuperFit or GreatFit.
If you don't want or can't install Amazfit Watch app on your (Android) phone, then you can try WatchDroid, a freemium app that can send notifications to these watches after you install the companion service app on watch itself too.
Related
Avid runner frustrated with Gear S (been deliberating s health vs Nike)- s health gives inaccurate splits, and poor map color coding in stats afterwards while Nike plus stats are unreadable while running (red ticker tape at bottom) AND sometimes gps kicks in at 0.25 miles in run. Well I think I have found a work around.
Lotta steps but really easy.
1) will be using nike plus app for run
2) make sure watch fully charged
3) disconnect phone and watch from each other using gear app (watch in standalone)
4) on watch turn off gear network-ie set to always off- (this auto turns off mobile network)
5) (revelation)- go to accessibility under settings on watch and turn on "invert colors" this makes Nike app stats (formerly dark red) HIGHLY visible during run-watc will be flaming white colors
6) turn off all motions (ie so when you lift up watch nothing happens)
7) allow at least 15 second auto screen off time or even 30 seconds - 10s (default) is too short while running to see scrolling stats.
Because of 6 above, I press button to turn on watch and take a peak while running, and then hit button again to turn off - this saves battery as well because with motion activated to turn on watch, I believe watch is often being triggered on and you don't know it.
8) connect Bluetooth headset if you wish
9) first turn on s health and pause pedometer...(battery saver)
10) then go to "run"on s health and start a run! This will activate and lock GPS (takes about 1 minute)....once run starts GPS is locked....immediately end the run. Now, clear all active apps. Start your music through Samsung music player (as Nike doesn't shuffle).
10) now open Nike app and start run...click "no" to music (already playing)..because you did the fake run with s health, you'll notice gos turns green 2 seconds into run (otherwise takes a minute into run).
Getting good battery life. Should be adequate for half marathon/2 hours
Tnx for the tips...only thing that bothers me is turning of mobile network. Is it just for saving battery or is it for another reason? I like the idea to be reachable in case of emergency, or if something happens to me while running...
Maybe a suggestion regarding the gps kicking in too late with nike+. Haven't tried it yet myself, but when starting the run, can't you immediately press pause and wait for a minute or so and then resume the run? So allowing the gps to get a lock? Will try it next time I go for a run....
Glen, yes, you can leave gear net on to be reached. Should have specified these tips are to max out batter for 2hr plus run.
Try the accessibility tip. Makes seeing the red row at bottom much easier. Couldn't see it on my watch at max bright while running in sun.
Update. Really sunny day. Tried it again. Ran for 45 mins with h above formula. Battery down 30% - not bad.
But still couldn't follow small text scrolling while running. What a bummer.
I think turning off pedometer/mobile network/makes Nike app last for 2+ hours for long race. But - a) hard to track pace and time b) very touchy to accidentally pause run while trying to hit button on bottom of gear s or to change music.
S health with hr off (unless you need it) will only drain batter 20% in 45 mins and you can flip up watch with motion on and see time and distance (do math in head) and know how your doing. But stats after are garbage. (No real splits) -broken and basic in app
Thanks Jeff and all for good info of how to improve the Gear S for running using Nike+
Unfortunately I can not find the tip:
5) (revelation)- go to accessibility under settings on watch and turn on "invert colors" this makes Nike app stats (formerly dark red) HIGHLY visible during run-watc will be flaming white colors.
- I have searched but I do not have any "accessibility" in the settings menue on watch and have not found "invert colours" anywhere in any menues.
My experience so far of the Gear S for exercising:
-My intention when buying the Gear S was purely for exercising, to be able to leave the phone at home and just use the Gear S with a bluetooth headset while running. The thought of a stand alone feature device where I could utilize Endomondo, Runkeeper, etc. was very much wanted, but after have using the Gear S for a month or so now I have to say that I am very disappointed of the lack of stand-alone function. Almost all exercise apps are intended to run on the phone and the Gear will just be a remote display, so based on this I could have bought any other smart watch.
The main feature with Gear S to be a fully stand-alone unit is unfortunately not at all being utilized by anyone.
All the available apps that can be used partly as stand-alone (S health and Nike+) but both are lacking so many features that I feel almost that I have been just as good using my Polar training watch as a simple timer and heart rate logger.
What I would love that both S health and Nike+ would add as feature is voice feedback (pace, time, heart rate, distance) during exercise. Also to be able to coach during exercise like Endomondo or Runkeeper when having a training plan. The S health app has some limited functions but after using it a couple of times I realized it was rather useless.
I probably are going to end up bringing my phone while running to be able to use real training functions, which means that I have no use for the Gear S and will leave it at home.
You probably realize I am rather disappointed but would love to find out if there are any apps or possibilities to get the true potential out of the great Gear S.
Best regards,
ronron_s said:
Thanks Jeff and all for good info of how to improve the Gear S for running using Nike+
Unfortunately I can not find the tip:
5) (revelation)- go to accessibility under settings on watch and turn on "invert colors" this makes Nike app stats (formerly dark red) HIGHLY visible during run-watc will be flaming white colors.
- I have searched but I do not have any "accessibility" in the settings menue on watch and have not found "invert colours" anywhere in any menues.
My experience so far of the Gear S for exercising:
-My intention when buying the Gear S was purely for exercising, to be able to leave the phone at home and just use the Gear S with a bluetooth headset while running. The thought of a stand alone feature device where I could utilize Endomondo, Runkeeper, etc. was very much wanted, but after have using the Gear S for a month or so now I have to say that I am very disappointed of the lack of stand-alone function. Almost all exercise apps are intended to run on the phone and the Gear will just be a remote display, so based on this I could have bought any other smart watch.
The main feature with Gear S to be a fully stand-alone unit is unfortunately not at all being utilized by anyone.
All the available apps that can be used partly as stand-alone (S health and Nike+) but both are lacking so many features that I feel almost that I have been just as good using my Polar training watch as a simple timer and heart rate logger.
What I would love that both S health and Nike+ would add as feature is voice feedback (pace, time, heart rate, distance) during exercise. Also to be able to coach during exercise like Endomondo or Runkeeper when having a training plan. The S health app has some limited functions but after using it a couple of times I realized it was rather useless.
I probably are going to end up bringing my phone while running to be able to use real training functions, which means that I have no use for the Gear S and will leave it at home.
You probably realize I am rather disappointed but would love to find out if there are any apps or possibilities to get the true potential out of the great Gear S.
Best regards,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I felt the same way as you. The hardware is fantastic, but the software is not... i really liked the fact having a little phone on my wrist in case of emergency or something, but there are just no decent running apps. And the fact that I can't pair a ble heart rate belt (built in sensor is not accurate enough) made me decide to sell the gear s. I will miss it, there were a few cool apps for it, but I really needed a decent sports watch. So I bought a garmin fenix 3 with the money I got from the gear...really happy now, and it does basic notifications too! Battery lasts weeks instead of hours. ...
Hey at least you gave it a try. Where I run and workout, I have needed to make a call for an emergency. Don't care how accurate my heart rate is when I'm looking for something to stop the bleeding, while calling for help.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G900A using XDA Free mobile app
Trail runner here. I bought the Gear S so I could leave my Note 2 in the car. I need a phone in case of emergency, and wanted to still be able to track my runs in stand-alone mode.
I started off with SHealth and got super frustrated by how long the GPS took to lock in on my location, especially since I got the Gear S in November, and standing around in the freezing cold is not my kind of fun.
I have since switched to Nike + in stand-alone mode. Bummer that Nike + does not measure elevation and HR, which is quite a let-down, but it is more important to me that I can hit start and the GPS starts tracking. I do this in stand-alone mode - no connection to phone at all:
1) Turn off Airplane mode (I always have it in aiplane mode when not running, mobile network is on when running, I feel it helps with tracking)
2) Turn on location tracking
3) Turn on Nike +
3) Start run
The tracking is instantaneous, and battery is down to about 60% after 2 hours, not too shabby, eh?
I have hand gesture wake disabled and 15 min screen dim. Once I am done with my run, I swipe left, then up to synch the latest run, since I always get the message that the latest run could not be synched automatically. Also, did you guys know if you swipe left during your run, you can see a map of your run? Accidental discoveries on my end.
I read that the latest update combines Nike + and SHealth and slowed down the GPS in the nike+ app. Can you guys confim this?
All in all I agree with you all: it's a great watch phone with shoddy software, meager apps in the app store, and the ones they have are mostly not stand-alone.
I'm glad i dicscovered Nike +, though I can't stand Nike shoes (Altra Zero all the way) and wish Nike would update this app to auto-pause and take advantage of the altimeter and HR sensors on the Gear S.
Maybe their app for the next Gear, the Oris, will do it.
I had high hopes for using Gear S for running. Unfortunately, the runner has to put more energy in setting up and controlling the watch than into the running itself. It is all too cumbersome and unreliable. The black-on-red quickly scrolling metrics on Nike+ are beyond stupid: impossible to read while running. It may be the 1st stopwatch/running application that doesn't show the running time.
What's next? A revolutionary wrist watch that doesn't show the time?!
S
Hi there,
i'm trying to build a companion app similar to watchdroid with wich i can send data to the watch and display them on a widget/springboard.
In my case i wan't to have my blood glucose level on my watch as i was used to with my android wear watch.
I have a simply app made with taske wich can read out a json from my nightscout site. This sadly work only via wifi.
Main problem is the bluetooth comunication. i've tried so many simply bluetooth apps and librarys via sideload. I can't even tell how many. Non of them worked out. Only some worked in watch to phone direction but not the other - desired - way. In almost every case, my phone could'nt even find the watch.
But since watch droid got it working, i know there is a way.
There is another way to get data to the watch: the notification system. Since i also could'nt get the notification listener to work on the watch, it is also not a starting point for me.
Last chance i see is automizing watchdroid and sending a file at a regulary scedule and reading this from the widget.
For the moment i just use Notify and fitness cause the Phone notification with my glucose level is persistent and the huami app ignores persistent notifications.
But get a new notification with my glucose level every 5 Minutes. On the phone the notification gets just updated, on the watch i get a new one. Over the day the notification stack gets fuller and fuller...
I'm not talking about geting this into a watchface, thats the next step after the next hundreds of steps.
Any help and tipps are welcome.
When a notification is dismissed on the phone, it should dismiss on the watch.
If you have the source to this app, you could make it dismiss it's notification and send a new one.
Klaus3d said:
Hi there,
i'm trying to build a companion app similar to watchdroid with wich i can send data to the watch and display them on a widget/springboard.
In my case i wan't to have my blood glucose level on my watch as i was used to with my android wear watch.
I have a simply app made with taske wich can read out a json from my nightscout site. This sadly work only via wifi.
Main problem is the bluetooth comunication. i've tried so many simply bluetooth apps and librarys via sideload. I can't even tell how many. Non of them worked out. Only some worked in watch to phone direction but not the other - desired - way. In almost every case, my phone could'nt even find the watch.
But since watch droid got it working, i know there is a way.
There is another way to get data to the watch: the notification system. Since i also could'nt get the notification listener to work on the watch, it is also not a starting point for me.
Last chance i see is automizing watchdroid and sending a file at a regulary scedule and reading this from the widget.
For the moment i just use Notify and fitness cause the Phone notification with my glucose level is persistent and the huami app ignores persistent notifications.
But get a new notification with my glucose level every 5 Minutes. On the phone the notification gets just updated, on the watch i get a new one. Over the day the notification stack gets fuller and fuller...
I'm not talking about geting this into a watchface, thats the next step after the next hundreds of steps.
Any help and tipps are welcome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
what application do you use to get a notification every 5 minutes ??? you use a FreeStyle Free blood glucose sensor ??? I will be very happy to read you to know if you succeeded !!!
astrarico said:
Hello,
what application do you use to get a notification every 5 minutes ??? you use a FreeStyle Free blood glucose sensor ??? I will be very happy to read you to know if you succeeded !!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it's freestyle libre with ambrosia blucon nightrider for nfc readout and transmission every 5 min. The app i use is xdrip+.
The notification is persistent to keep the data collector service running, to show the value on the notificatiin icon even on the aod of samsungs.
Klaus3d said:
Yes, it's freestyle libre with ambrosia blucon nightrider for nfc readout and transmission every 5 min. The app i use is xdrip+.
The notification is persistent to keep the data collector service running, to show the value on the notificatiin icon even on the aod of samsungs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ah yes anyway, the price of "ambrosia blucon nightrider" as we say at home "it stings the eyes". before you give me the answer I was wondering how you did to get back the FreeStyle scan, so I understand. on the other hand to use the nightscout, it is a little the course of the fighter ... a lot of account to create. damage that the app glimp or other does not regroup suddenly!
It's currently my intention to build a framework for both phone and watch to allow apps to get data from the internet at some point in the next few months. I'm stuck with work to do at the moment so don't have any time to put towards projects (especially not big ones like that) but in the future - probably
I'd ideally also like to get Android Wear (not Wear OS, it's an old version) working too, to allow at least some companion apps to function (Sleep as Android, Keep etc.). I've got the framework working fine (which does improve app compatibility, but no communication still severely limits what they can do), but the two way Bluetooth connection throws an error that I cannot find any documentation about, so it's on hold for now until I have sufficient time to investigate properly
This would be awesome to have a framework like this. In my case i would'nt even need real internet access, due to the web service is localy provided by the xdrip app. But this would open so many things and possible options to code. Let me know if i could help. I'm also short in time but willing to help.
Getting Android wear working on the pace/stratos would also be great. I tried out sideloading the micro apk for wear of xdrip+ and it worked out better than expected. No crashes from the app and even the integrated watchfaces were selectable. Of course there were no data shown and no low power watchface.
Klaus3d said:
Getting Android wear working on the pace/stratos would also be great. I tried out sideloading the micro apk for wear of xdrip+ and it worked out better than expected. No crashes from the app and even the integrated watchfaces were selectable. Of course there were no data shown and no low power watchface.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It might actually be possible to build a newer version of Android, source code exists for the CPU and MIPS sources exist all the way up to Oreo, but again that would take time I don't have (and space for that matter)
Just wanted to let you know, that thanks to edotassi i have a working widget with my blood glucose values on my Stratos.
https://github.com/edotassi/AmazMod
https://github.com/edotassi/AmazModService
Now i'm fine tuning the widget and maybe also the nightscout parts of amazmod. But i'm still learning.
Klaus3d said:
Just wanted to let you know, that thanks to edotassi i have a working widget with my blood glucose values on my Stratos.
Now i'm fine tuning the widget and maybe also the nightscout parts of amazmod. But i'm still learning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, great news. Will this work on Amazfit BIP ?
Since the Bip does not rely on the AmazFit Watch app, i'd say no.
Can you show on the photo the indications of the xdrip on the watch? how it works.
Hi, i'm now trying to integrate quinnys library into xDrip, to make thinks easy and to allow 2 way communication.
Since xDrip is a really big and complex project + i'm a noop i'm having trouble with providing a switch in the menus and finding the right place to start the service from. Maybe someone can help me out again.
I am also really interest of amazfit bit. I saw now, xdrip have one section called "amazfit synk service" look like can connect with this kind of phones. Are there news to see the value on the display?
Tapiocapioca said:
I am also really interest of amazfit bit. I saw now, xdrip have one section called "amazfit synk service" look like can connect with this kind of phones. Are there news to see the value on the display?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of this will work with the Bip, it's too limited
Is there any way to implement the clockscreen or widget from Glimp instead of XDrip on the Stratosphere. I'm getting better use from Glimp and MiaoMiao.
Klaus3d said:
Just wanted to let you know, that thanks to edotassi i have a working widget with my blood glucose values on my Stratos.
https://github.com/edotassi/AmazMod
https://github.com/edotassi/AmazModService
Now i'm fine tuning the widget and maybe also the nightscout parts of amazmod. But i'm still learning.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should ask this the devs of glimp.
Yo everyone o/
Just got my hands on a GTS and while it's a very nice piece of hardware I'm curious about something. As it stands right now, when I go to the notification toggles on the Zepp app to select which ones I want to redirect to my watch I get a short pre-populated list and an extra one in the bottom that says "Other". If I enable this "Other", every notification gets redirected which is not what I'm looking for.
My use case is that I'd like only my Slack notifications to go to my watch, but there is no toggle for specific apps that are not on the list. Any clue if that list can be rebuilt, or if there is anything else I can do to achieve this?
Thanks!
You can make feature request in Amazfit support forum. I highly doubt it would happen anytime soon
iyengar said:
You can make feature request in Amazfit support forum. I highly doubt it would happen anytime soon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Case in point, I've sent that suggestion several times in the last 2 years I've owned the Amazfit Bip. I always receive a thank you email something to the effect of "we are constantly improving and updating.... " but so far nothing. I'm in the same boat and would like to filter the notifications to only a couple items, most especially from my continuous glucose monitor as opposed to getting all notifications. This is an IOS application limitation as there are several Android options such as Gadget Bridge, Alert Bridge, etc.
klister said:
Case in point, I've sent that suggestion several times in the last 2 years I've owned the Amazfit Bip. I always receive a thank you email something to the effect of "we are constantly improving and updating.... " but so far nothing. I'm in the same boat and would like to filter the notifications to only a couple items, most especially from my continuous glucose monitor as opposed to getting all notifications. This is an IOS application limitation as there are several Android options such as Gadget Bridge, Alert Bridge, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, I think from what I saw on my friend's iPhone, notifications redirection on iOS is quite limited. it is true that Zepp on Android allows you to have all apps notifications to be redirected to the watch selectively one by one. However, it is good also to limit them otherwise your watch will keep on vibrate at each notification. it can be painful at a certain level...
Hi,
During a long outdoor activity, I'm not really interested in all the details of the workout. I would rather have a nice watch face to look at and when the activity is ended look at the details of it.
So I was wondering if it is possible to enable GPS tracking in the background during the day or have an activity with a normal watch face instead of all the activity details?
Hello,
I do not know all the parameters of the watch, but to have searched, it seems impossible to launch the GPS without going through an activity and therefore the display sport watch face.
In your case, if it is possible for you, I will choose to record the position (and the route) by the phone, rather than the watch... With the zepp app you can start an activity on the phone, it will look for the sports data on the watch and the GPS signal on the phone and the watch wiil keep the "normal" face
MiPiMok said:
Hello,
I do not know all the parameters of the watch, but to have searched, it seems impossible to launch the GPS without going through an activity and therefore the display sport watch face.
In your case, if it is possible for you, I will choose to record the position (and the route) by the phone, rather than the watch... With the zepp app you can start an activity on the phone, it will look for the sports data on the watch and the GPS signal on the phone and the watch wiil keep the "normal" face
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thx for the reply! Already suspected it, but thx anyway. Phone is not really an option (milsim events), so I think I just buy a second device for the recording.
Sorry, but on the older amazfit watches like amazfit pace, etc when we are doing workout we can have simple maps( just line and direction ) on our watches.
Which workout provides the same functionality on gtr 3 pro. I cant find the maps on my watch when im doing outdoor workout
Do not update your fossil watches to wear OS 3! I didn't think much of doing updates but it has ruined my watch. If you want a fit bit then do the update, otherwise stay well clear!
Here's the tale:
I recently got the latest Fitbit, after 24 hrs of use (and at work) I realised how completely useless it was for me. I like the idea of seeing my steps and heart rate, but ultimately it's a fitness tracker and had very limited Google support imho. I need to access Google assistant, music control, and reading my messages. It couldn't even control the volume Very little more. So I get the fossil gen 6 in replacement.
Within 2 hours I knew this watch was x1000 better for me. I was even impressed that the assistant wasn't just a basic version, it had access to my smart home. Loved it.
So carelessly I let it do it's updates, thinking little of it.
Here what I lost and gained:
No Google Assistant Alexa only.
custom quick launch sucks, limited apps, lost top button to none existent assistant. [Edit]
Music controls do not seem to work correctly.
Certain watch faces have been removed like facer... Or at least it won't work for me...
The reading of notifications has changed more clumsy
Quick settings have more there but now is more fiddly.
With no assistant I can't set reminders, calendar events, control the smart home, can't access music or torch with 1 touch. Battery also seems to be draining FAST!
And a pet hate... The app interface won't change to dark mode.
what did I gain?
Slightly better looking interface.
Can access more watch settings on the phone via fossil app.
Much better presentation of health stats in the fossil app. Comparable to the fit bit. I can imagine it's much better as a fitness tracker. That's not what I wanted tho.... This does seem to come at a cost to battery.
So please heed my warning! If you don't want a Fitbit, don't update.