PineTime FAQ
Does the PineTime run Linux?
No. Please read this forum article for information about Linux on PineTime: https://forum.pine64.org/showthread.php?tid=8112
How long does it take to ship my PineTime?
That depends on whether you chose for Standard or Express shipping. Standard shipping for the dev kit may take up to a few weeks.
My PineTime arrived, now what?
You should start by testing out all the features of the watch, to make sure everything works. You can do this using the software that was preinstalled on your device. Then you should solder some wires to the exposed SWD pins of the PineTime, so you can interact with it. Then you can use those wires to remove flash protection. Then, finally, you can start flashing code to the device.
How do I remove flash protection?
The flash protection can be removed using multiple different methods. If you don't have anything except the PineTime, not even a RPi, then you have to order a programmer online. The main article about PineTime contains links to different tutorials. You can also remove flash protection using a J-Link, CMSIS-DAP dongle and various other programmers.
What's the OS that's preinstalled on the PineTime by default?
The watch, and its preinstalled OS, is built by a friend of TL. The software is proprietary and not made by Pine64 or its community. It can interact with the "Da Fit" app on Android. The dev kit contains this OS (and as a result, the flash protection) so that developers can test if all the hardware on their device is working correctly before they flash the device and start working on their own software.
Can we use this OS or its source code?
While it's not what the dev kit is for, you are of course free to use the watch with its preinstalled software as is. The preinstalled OS is proprietary, and its owner will not release the source code, so we cannot use this OS as a starting point.
Why is the back exposed? Is it supposed to snap on?
The back cover of the PineTime dev kit is exposed so that you can flash and debug the device with the SWD pins. The main unit and cover does not snap (lock) together. If you want to attach the back cover anyway, you can use glue or tape.
What hardware should I use to flash code to the PineTime?
There are several ways you can do this:
a) Use a J-Link. These can remove flash protection as well, so you won't need a Raspberry Pi to start working on the PineTime. A cheap option for this is the J-Link EDU: https://www.segger.com/products/debug-probes/j-link/models/j-link-edu/.
b) Use an even cheaper CMSIS-DAP dongle (sometimes called DAPLINK) from AliExpress, that too allows removing the flash protection and flashing new software using OpenOCD. Search for "CMSIS-DAP" or "DAPLINK" on AliExpress.
c) Use a Raspberry Pi with OpenOCD
d) Use a ST-Link V2 clone. Search for "ST-Link V2" on AliExpress or Amazon to buy one of these.
e) Finally, you can use an STM32F103 "Blue Pill" with BMP (Black Magic Probe). Here's a nice guide for that: https://devzone.nordicsemi.com/nordic/nordic-blog/b/blog/posts/flashing-and-debugging-nrf5152-with-a-cheap-blackm
I have experience developing on Arduino. How does the PineTime compare?
Arduino provides the Arduino IDE (or you use the avr-gcc and avrdude command-line tools) which you can use to compile and upload code to an Arduino board. The PineTime and its ARM processor doesn't have this, so you'll have to familiarize yourself with tools like GCC for AVR, and OpenOCD. Some experience with Arduino does translate over to the PineTime, especially if you've worked with LCD's, or SPI. The PineTime is at least four times faster than an Arduino Uno (even faster at certain specific workloads due to hardware acceleration), and it has 32 times more RAM and 16 times more flash storage.
My PineTime has the stock proprietary software on it, how do I set the time?
You can use either nRF Connect, custom GadgetBridge build or the proprietary Da Fit app.
My PineTime's screen shows garbage, how do I fix it?
This is usually caused by unplugging the device after it has booted, it needs to be reinitialised. To do so just restart the watch by removing power to it.
Is there a 3D model of PineTime available somewhere?
Not yet.
Is there a standard agreed method of pushing OTA updates so that one could seal the PineTime dev kit nicely?
Not yet.