Database Users

[Q] Sourcing from China (with Android)

I want to source an Android smart watch from China for a project am working on. I want to change the menu interface it comes with and replace with a custom interface specific for my purpose (means no custom control to intended audience).
Thoughts Needed
Does anyone here have a similar experience?
Are they good at customizing ROMs and interfaces according to requirements?
If not, how easy is it to hire somebody to build a custom ROM with custom interface (for say MTK6572)?
Any recommended suppliers you know?
Phase 1 MUST HAVE Minimum Requirements - 100 Units Order
Android OS
GSM/GPS
Touch screen
Mic/Speaker
Charging points on the back side (no micro-usb slot on the side)
Shortlisted AK-S5 or AK-S7
Phase 2 MUST HAVE Minimum Requirements
All from Phase 1
IP67 or IP68
Magnetic based charger point on the backside
Heart rate sensor at the backside
Shortlisted - None available yet

abuduri said:
I want to source an Android smart watch from China for a project am working on. I want to change the menu interface it comes with and replace with a custom interface specific for my purpose (means no custom control to intended audience).
Thoughts Needed
Does anyone here have a similar experience?
Are they good at customizing ROMs and interfaces according to requirements?
If not, how easy is it to hire somebody to build a custom ROM with custom interface (for say MTK6572)?
Any recommended suppliers you know?
Phase 1 MUST HAVE Minimum Requirements - 100 Units Order
Android OS
GSM/GPS
Touch screen
Mic/Speaker
Charging points on the back side (no micro-usb slot on the side)
Shortlisted AK-S5 or AK-S7
Phase 2 MUST HAVE Minimum Requirements
All from Phase 1
IP67 or IP68
Magnetic based charger point on the backside
Heart rate sensor at the backside
Shortlisted - None available yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please note: to date no Chinese Android watches are IP67, even the ones that provide proof of IP certification, I've learned that the hard way
AK-55 is the Z01
The AK-S7 is or looks like ZGPAX S7
I'm sure you have experience dealing with Chinese sellers, but if you don't . .. . be extremely careful, even using Paypal, trust no one!

simple1i said:
Please note: to date no Chinese Android watches are IP67, even the ones that provide proof of IP certification, I've learned that the hard way
AK-55 is the Z01
The AK-S7 is or looks like ZGPAX S7
I'm sure you have experience dealing with Chinese sellers, but if you don't . .. . be extremely careful, even using Paypal, trust no one!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot @simple1i.
I have a chicken-egg question ... Which came first - AK-S5 or Z01? Which of these (or among numerous others on Alibaba) is "original" (designed first)? If there is no traceback and everyone is using the same reference design, as long as it works as intended, does it matter? I did get this supplier to show me the watch on skype video (though it doesn't prove anything).
My main question is - if the supplier really has a "fully working version" of S5 or Z01, and is ready to supply - they also say they will do ODM - any experience on their skills to make a custom ROM and change the menu interface to my needs? If not, anyone here willing to build the ROM and interface (paid)?

x201 model
abuduri said:
Thanks a lot @simple1i.
I have a chicken-egg question ... Which came first - AK-S5 or Z01? Which of these (or among numerous others on Alibaba) is "original" (designed first)? If there is no traceback and everyone is using the same reference design, as long as it works as intended, does it matter? I did get this supplier to show me the watch on skype video (though it doesn't prove anything).
My main question is - if the supplier really has a "fully working version" of S5 or Z01, and is ready to supply - they also say they will do ODM - any experience on their skills to make a custom ROM and change the menu interface to my needs? If not, anyone here willing to build the ROM and interface (paid)?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I started looking into smartwatches on XDA from Mar 2014, so my history before then is limited. For me it started with the Omate TrueSmart, their Kickstarter campaign that promised it all and delivered a lie. I could be wrong, but Omate made the watch first (x201) and the rest copied (or someShenzhen firm made it first and Omate copied ) @pizzaman77 - knows the full history of Omate clones x201. But yes, now it does not matter as long as it works.
As for the development, you might get lucky and find that someone is already doing what you want or similar on the Omate forum - search on the Android development threads. I'm not a dev, so I don't if the Chineses sellers have the skills, doubt it. But the Devs on XDA will have. Look at this Omate thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/oma...rom-omate-truesmart-ironman-firmware-t2998434 - lots of dev going on on the Omate and its clones.
@kuronosan - is a key dev, still active, he might be able to help with paid work. You should start with making a new thread in the Omate Dev forum with your request.
@Lokifish Marz - knows a loooot but is not too actives these days
Please keep me informed on your dev plans (if its not top secret ) - i really really want to also buy a bulk order (maybe only 5 to start with) from China and sell them in the UK, but i need to join someone who is ordering in bulk so that i CAN only buy 5 units to start with. The other issue is i would need to fix any software issues first then sell them and if they sell then buy more. Can PM me if you wish. Thanks.

simple1i said:
I started looking into smartwatches on XDA from Mar 2014, so my history before then is limited. For me it started with the Omate TrueSmart, their Kickstarter campaign that promised it all and delivered a lie. I could be wrong, but Omate made the watch first (x201) and the rest copied (or someShenzhen firm made it first and Omate copied ) @pizzaman77 - knows the full history of Omate clones x201. But yes, now it does not matter as long as it works.
As for the development, you might get lucky and find that someone is already doing what you want or similar on the Omate forum - search on the Android development threads. I'm not a dev, so I don't if the Chineses sellers have the skills, doubt it. But the Devs on XDA will have. Look at this Omate thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/oma...rom-omate-truesmart-ironman-firmware-t2998434 - lots of dev going on on the Omate and its clones.
@kuronosan - is a key dev, still active, he might be able to help with paid work. You should start with making a new thread in the Omate Dev forum with your request.
@Lokifish Marz - knows a loooot but is not too actives these days
Please keep me informed on your dev plans (if its not top secret ) - i really really want to also buy a bulk order (maybe only 5 to start with) from China and sell them in the UK, but i need to join someone who is ordering in bulk so that i CAN only buy 5 units to start with. The other issue is i would need to fix any software issues first then sell them and if they sell then buy more. Can PM me if you wish. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a ton @simple1i. I will start a thread there.
Do you know any Android watches that fit my Phase 2 requirements (couldn't find any on Alibaba or similar sites)?
I did find a few watches fitting my spec without Android (either Nucleus or similar). Is it advisable to build on those platforms given that Android is now into wearables Reason I chose Android is because I want to be able to easily change supplier and/or watch hardware (looks) later easily and just port the code/functionality rather than getting locked. Else it will become an EXPENSIVE affair later. Am I right in thinking so?

abuduri said:
Thanks a ton @simple1i. I will start a thread there.
Do you know any Android watches that fit my Phase 2 requirements (couldn't find any on Alibaba or similar sites)?
I did find a few watches fitting my spec without Android (either Nucleus or similar). Is it advisable to build on those platforms given that Android is now into wearables Reason I chose Android is because I want to be able to easily change supplier and/or watch hardware (looks) later easily and just port the code/functionality rather than getting locked. Else it will become an EXPENSIVE affair later. Am I right in thinking so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And yes @simple1i, I will definitely keep you in the loop on the bulk ordering.

abuduri said:
Thanks a ton @simple1i. I will start a thread there.
Do you know any Android watches that fit my Phase 2 requirements (couldn't find any on Alibaba or similar sites)?
I did find a few watches fitting my spec without Android (either Nucleus or similar). Is it advisable to build on those platforms given that Android is now into wearables Reason I chose Android is because I want to be able to easily change supplier and/or watch hardware (looks) later easily and just port the code/functionality rather than getting locked. Else it will become an EXPENSIVE affair later. Am I right in thinking so?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I'd stick with Android, lots of resources available, gives more flexibility. I don't think Nucleus OS is a viable option yet, it would be too expensive.
I take it SIM is a requirement too? I'll look around, the IP67 is not available yet, maybe the Ironman 3rd generation might be IP67, but the company (Unova) is full of liars, I was ripped off with the 2nd generation, I proved it's not IP67. Other then the IP67 the rest might be available, you'll need to search for it on AliExpress.
What country are you from?

simple1i said:
Yes I'd stick with Android, lots of resources available, gives more flexibility. I don't think Nucleus OS is a viable option yet, it would be too expensive.
I take it SIM is a requirement too? I'll look around, the IP67 is not available yet, maybe the Ironman 3rd generation might be IP67, but the company (Unova) is full of liars, I was ripped off with the 2nd generation, I proved it's not IP67. Other then the IP67 the rest might be available, you'll need to search for it on AliExpress.
What country are you from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, with 2G. 3G really not needed but if it comes with it, cool. Couldn't find any with android and heart rate on back side, keeping IP67 on the side.
Am currently in Boston (originally from India).

simple1i said:
Yes I'd stick with Android, lots of resources available, gives more flexibility. I don't think Nucleus OS is a viable option yet, it would be too expensive.
I take it SIM is a requirement too? I'll look around, the IP67 is not available yet, maybe the Ironman 3rd generation might be IP67, but the company (Unova) is full of liars, I was ripped off with the 2nd generation, I proved it's not IP67. Other then the IP67 the rest might be available, you'll need to search for it on AliExpress.
What country are you from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@simple1i ... is Android Wear OS same as Android 4.4 etc running on Z01 (and others) etc?

abuduri said:
@simple1i ... is Android Wear OS same as Android 4.4 etc running on Z01 (and others) etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Found the answer ... http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-operating-systems-do-wearable-devices-run-on/
Looks like Android Wear needs a compatible Android phone for it to work.
So, I'll stick with just Android.

General rules with Chinese Android smartwatches
Broken firmware
Major security holes
Little to no official support (this includes the phone side app)
English (or any other language other than Chinese) for the phone app is very rare
Incomplete source code (when you can even get it) that is a generic build pulled from a phone
Inconsistent battery life due to broken firmware
IP67 is more like IP54 if lucky
Poor build quality and QC by western standards
Not Lokifish supported (I've walked away from the industry as a whole until they get their collective heads out of their butts)
kuronosan's time is limited so fixes may be slow
Depending on your needs and goals. Talk to Ingenic. The HW is a little slow on the Newton (SmartQ Z uses it), not sure about the Newton 2. Either way they have source (Linux, Android, etc). The package is small enough that you could design and build a smartwatch that's about the same size as a real watch, but the display will need a new "crystal" to pull it off nicely. Find a compatible round display, and you should be able to use off the shelf watch cases with minor modifications giving you a 200m diver's smartwatch if you do it right.
*Side note
Even with a 1/2 million buy in for 3000 units we designed ourselves, Umeox still would not have provided source code, and little to no support. That's what the Chinese ODM's are like. kuronosan can verify this.

@abuduri - I'm not sure if my reply to your PM went thru? I can't see it in my sent folder. Did you get it?

I'm still working on stuff for the Omate. I just haven't actually had any free time as of late. I can't just take off of work to put work into a device that's difficult to troubleshoot. If I can be of any help let me know.

I've just started working with smartwatches, but I'm happy to help however I can. I'll be attempting some work on the s8, and I know my way around Android pretty well.

kuronosan said:
I'm still working on stuff for the Omate. I just haven't actually had any free time as of late. I can't just take off of work to put work into a device that's difficult to troubleshoot. If I can be of any help let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@kuronosan @chainsol - thanks guys.
The thread for the new smartwatch is here, we have 5 people so far: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=3115221 - including an electronic engineering. [emoji818]

firmware files of z01
abuduri said:
I want to source an Android smart watch from China for a project am working on. I want to change the menu interface it comes with and replace with a custom interface specific for my purpose (means no custom control to intended audience).
Thoughts Needed
Does anyone here have a similar experience?
Are they good at customizing ROMs and interfaces according to requirements?
If not, how easy is it to hire somebody to build a custom ROM with custom interface (for say MTK6572)?
Any recommended suppliers you know?
Phase 1 MUST HAVE Minimum Requirements - 100 Units Order
Android OS
GSM/GPS
Touch screen
Mic/Speaker
Charging points on the back side (no micro-usb slot on the side)
Shortlisted AK-S5 or AK-S7
Phase 2 MUST HAVE Minimum Requirements
All from Phase 1
IP67 or IP68
Magnetic based charger point on the backside
Heart rate sensor at the backside
Shortlisted - None available yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
need firmware files for z01 (android 5.1)

Possible to have android on a U8 smartwatch?

I've ordered a U8 smartwatch off Amazon.co.uk and when I get it I want to toy with it but I am just wondering if anyone has attempted to put android on it?

not possible, specs are way too low for that

What about the u10?
Could you put android on the u10 smart watch?

no
even though RAM is bigger, it's still only 128mb
processor is only 300mhz
chinese smartwatches don't have the specs to run anything but the limited firmware they have preinstalled

JarlSX said:
chinese smartwatches don't have the specs to run anything but the limited firmware they have preinstalled
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
False. There are multiple Chinese smartwatches that run Android.

hmm, i was thinking android wear, android would require a cellular modem, no?

Not necessarily. The cell side in Android can be hidden, like how a lot of tablets have hidden dialers in them even when they didn't have cell radios. I would not be surprised if there's a lot of cellphone specific code in Wear as well.
As far as Wear, if one had full source they could compile a working Wear build for a number of Chinese smartwatches. In fact, Com1 did it on their prototype, but because they were not part of Google's exclusive "Wear Partners" club, Google shut Com1 down.

for both android and android wear you'd need drivers though, to access all hardware, so you would need a kernel specific for the watch
available?

Most Chinese smartwatches are MTK based, so no.

so it's not possible then

Depends. The TS has a custom ROM and git which was cobbled together from multiple bits of sourcecode. It's mostly a matter of how much work one wants to put into it.

Programmable watches

I got an idea which requires that several sensors are attached to a humans wrist together with some GSM communication, so i thought, why not use an Android smart watch? (Or any other programmable watches)
I've searched aliexpress for smart watches with sim card support, but the ones i can find in the price range $10-30 doesn't come with a full Android OS. And as far as i can read, i won't be able to modify the OS on the watches.
Do any of you know a programmable watch with sim card support in the price range $10-30? It doesn't have to an Android watch at all. If someone sells a fully working Arduino watch, link it!

Check out the IMac M7, full android, sim card, good specs.
Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

@friendlybiker
It is sadly not near my price range. Do you know anything cheaper? It doesn't has to contain water resistance etc.

I think this will be a problem, if you want a device running real android. Even the cheaper android smartwatches are around a 100$ or more. Most of the other cheap smartwatches are running some sort of proprietary system, I don't think they can be modified in any way. I know a few smartwatches around 50$ which claim to support java. Maybe you can install and run some java programs on it...
http://www.ebay.de/itm/SmartPhone-W...820477?hash=item3aa403dfbd:g:6zUAAOSw5ZBWOs5e
Sorry I didn't find this one on ebay.com but at least the description is in english

MTK2503D Development

Hi all,
More and more Chinese smart watches and devices are appearing in Alibaba, which are based on the MT2503 SoC. I guess these are to replace those devices based on the MT2502 SoC, which I believe is now discontinued.
Did anyone come across some useful information as to how to develop software / firmwares for these devices? I got a MT2503 based device on Alibaba, and I would like to re-purpose it, by writing some embedded C code, flash it onto the MT2503 based device, and run it.
I have searched for info on MT2503 for quite a while, on Chinese, Russians and other sites, but to no avail. Mediatek do not provide any useful info on their site either.
Thanks in advance for any help or pointers provided.

Anyone with MT2503 development experience?

Nope, the only thing I met which is related to MTK2503 is this article. http://www.chinawatchs.com/mtk-2503-new-soc-the-upgrade-of-mtk2502/

Thanks Smith 001. Yes, I also came across this article lately. I have also seen quite a few devices based on 2503 on Alibaba, so wondering how these were developed.

dbroda235 said:
Thanks Smith 001. Yes, I also came across this article lately. I have also seen quite a few devices based on 2503 on Alibaba, so wondering how these were developed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which one did you buy? Anything special?

I got a MT2503 based GPS/GPRS tracker off Alibaba. See attached picture.
What I am trying to do is repurpose the device to run my own firmware which I want to develop.
I am looking for info such as:
1. How to extract the current original firmware from the device
2. Development environment for MT2503 and tool chain to write new firmware and flash to the device
I think MT2503 is a MT6261 + a GPS chipset (MT333x) all in one SoC, so any MT6261 information will be applicable.
Any idea about these?

You can check the MTK 2502 development thread. I think how to make a backup for your watch is the same as the mtk 2502.
MTK 2503 is considered as the upgrade of MTK 2502, so I think mtk 2502 app or firmware development is available for MTK 2503.

Ok, thanks, will give it a go. If MT2503 is an upgrade to MT2502, do you know if a VXP running on MT2502 will also run on MT2503?

dbroda235 said:
Ok, thanks, will give it a go. If MT2503 is an upgrade to MT2502, do you know if a VXP running on MT2502 will also run on MT2503?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Although I don't have a MTK2503 watch, I think at least vxp face works in mtk 2503.

Mtk2503 watch faces
Hi everyone!
Recently I bought Lemfo F1 watch with MTK2503 CHIP.
It's a great piece of gadget for it's price.
So I wanted to load/install new watch face but without any success!
I tried with FunDo software and with Mediatek Smartdevice sortware. but all I get is error message "Install fail for internal error" all the time.
Do you have any idea what am I doing wrong?
Is there another sortware available to load VXP files?
Thank you very much in advance!
Sincerely,
Hrvoje

It is programmed via standard Arduino IDE with LinkIt ONE SDK installed via board manager. Search for LinkIt ONE SDK.

According to https://www.dr-lex.be/hardware/china_phone_flashing.html :
Caution: there is a new series of cheap smartwatches based on the MT626xDA. The ‘D’ in the model number seems to signify that these chips are incapable of using more than 4MiB of ROM. To compensate for this, the ROM seems to be compressed, which makes these watches pretty much unhackable. The ROM can be downloaded, but looks like random junk. Do not buy these things, because they will still be full of bugs and there will be no possibility whatsoever to fix them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Hi guys,
i have an IWO 10 gps with Mediatek 2503 ave i have tried with both Fundo and mediatek Smart device to install vxp faces.
Always give me the same error "installation failed for internal error"
Any good advice to install the vxp faces?

Installing Wear OS in Apple Watch

Hi there!
I know that this is a very weird question, BUT, is not improbable to do, I think.
The existing Android Smartwatches are not so good like the Apple watch, but, this last one doesn't work with Android, what stinks.
So, my questions is: Does exist a method to replace the OS in the Apple Watch for installing Wear OS, or a ROM based on?
Well, just let me know if you think is possible or you know a way to do it.
Cheers!

No, it's not possible.
Apple Watches are just about barely jailbreakable and all that introduces is some custom watch faces. WearOS is made to run on Android-compatible chips such as the Qualcomm 2100, 3100, 3300. It will just plainly not work at all on the S4 chip inside the new Apple Watch, nor the ones prior. That's assuming you even made it as far as unlocking the bootloader or otherwise getting to the low-level bits of an Apple Watch which just isn't possible. Doing it the other way around is also impossible for the reasons stated above and the fact that watchOS source code is proprietary and closed.
What do you mean by "this last one doesn't work with Android"? Did you buy a Galaxy Watch or one of the newer Huawei GT series? They don't run wearOS, but Tizen and LiteOS respectively, as both Huawei and Samsung want to distance themselves from wearOS.
And yes, one could argue that the new Apple Watch is better - specs-wise it smacks anything running the standard Qualcomm 2100 config in the face meaning it's certainly snappier, but it's also worth nothing that it doesn't allow for the "hackability" and customization that's present on the wearOS platform, such as sideloading native Android apps through adb.

are you retarded?