AsteroidOS 2.0 Released with Always-on Display and Expanded Watch Support

AsteroidOS 2.0 has arrived, marking a significant milestone for the open-source smartwatch operating system. After a substantial development period, this release brings major features and improvements that have been refined through community collaboration.

The headline feature of AsteroidOS 2.0 is the Always-on Display, which allows users to glance at their watch face without activating the full screen. This functionality is complemented by tilt-to-wake and palm-to-sleep gestures, making interaction more intuitive. The release also introduces a heart rate monitor app and initial step counting support, bringing essential fitness tracking capabilities to the platform.

Expanded Hardware Support

Since the 1.0 release, AsteroidOS has dramatically expanded its device compatibility. The platform now supports 30 different smartwatches, including:

• Fossil Gen 4 and 5 watches (firefish/ray, triggerfish)
• Fossil Gen 6 watches (hoki)
• Huawei Watch series (sturgeon, sawfish/sawshark)
• LG Watch W7 (narwhal)
• Moto 360 2015 (smelt)
• OPPO Watch (beluga)
• Polar M600 (pike)
• Ticwatch series (multiple models including C2+, E, Pro, and Pro 3)

Additionally, partial support exists for several other devices including Casio WSD-F10/F20, LG Watch Urbane 2, Moto 360 1st gen, and Samsung Gear models. The team has created an "Experimental" category for watches that aren't suitable for daily use but remain available for enthusiasts and developers.

User Interface Enhancements

The QuickPanel has been completely redesigned, transforming the former QuickSettings menu into a highly customizable interface with more toggles, app shortcuts, and power-off options with remorse timers. Seven new app launcher styles have been added, selectable through the new Launcher settings page.

Performance improvements are substantial, with optimized rendering delivering smoother animations and transitions. Battery life has been extended through various optimizations, and numerous stability fixes have been applied across the system.

New Applications and Features

AsteroidOS 2.0 introduces several new applications:

• Diamonds - A 2048-like puzzle game optimized for small watch displays
• Flashlight app - A practical utility for illumination
• Calculator app - With improved layout for easier operation on round displays
• Nightstand mode - Turns your watch into a bedside clock with clear charging status
• Weather app redesign - Enhanced with Noto Sans font for better legibility
• Timer app - Now works in the background with round-watch optimization

Synchronization Improvements

The synchronization ecosystem has expanded significantly. AsteroidOS Sync for Android now includes call detection and display, improved Bluetooth stability, custom OpenWeatherMap API key support, and a more modular architecture. Gadgetbridge added initial AsteroidOS support in version 0.73.0, while Amazfish now supports AsteroidOS on both SailfishOS and Linux desktop platforms. Telescope provides synchronization for UBports Ubuntu Touch devices.

Community and Infrastructure

The release showcases extensive community contributions. Over 20 new languages have been added through Weblate, bringing total language support to 49. The community has created numerous watchfaces, available in an unofficial repository, including minimalist designs like "pulsedot" and creative options like the Monty Python-inspired "silly walks" face.

A new community repository has been introduced to improve discoverability of precompiled packages, laying groundwork for a potential graphical software center in the future. This repository currently includes debugging tools, community watchfaces, games, and emulators.

Future Directions

Looking ahead, the AsteroidOS team plans to transition to more frequent stable releases while maintaining the reliability that users expect. The roadmap includes potential features like a combined fitness app with privacy-focused health tracking, WiFi setup through the settings app, web-based watchface creation tools, and an app store for easier access to community contributions.

AsteroidOS 2.0 represents a mature, feature-rich open-source alternative in the smartwatch ecosystem, demonstrating what community-driven development can achieve in the wearable technology space.