followers of Android modding rejoice, it’s been found that the Pixel Watch bootloader will be unlocked, however you’ll want a particular cable or very regular fingers.
One custom of the Google Pixel sequence is that you simply’ve always been in a place to unlock the bootloader, which makes it simply potential to place in your particular person personalized Android ROM. This has made the Pixel sequence a fan favourite amongst the diversified modding neighborhood, and a lot of have been hoping to see that custom proceed with the Pixel Watch.
On that entrance, there’s been good information and unhealthy information. In an announcement given to XDA-builders, Google confirmed that whereas it is potential to unlock the bootloader, doing so requires a specialty cable that “Fitbit at present would not current.”
As noticed by a pair of Pixel Watch reviewers and early adopters, there are 4 pogo pins on the larger side of the watch, contained in the watch band connector. Presumably, Fitbit’s particular cable would both join magnetically or maybe slot into place simply like a regular Pixel Watch band would.
nonetheless, with out that official possibility out there, resourceful builders/hackers have taken issues into their very personal fingers. On Twitter, developer Shiny Quagsire has shared his personal efforts at modding the Pixel Watch, starting with straightforward strategies to unlock the bootloader.
to take movement, the 1st step was to get your hands on out precisely how these pogo pins are used, then reduce up and modify one finish of a USB cable into particular person wires. Three of the 4 cables are then rigorously spaced to match the pogo pins and taped collectively. With that full, it takes a little bit of mild maneuvering to maintain the makeshift “connector” in opposition to the pins of the Pixel Watch.
Shiny Quagsire’s efforts have been rewarded, getting a full ADB/Fastboot connection to the Pixel Watch through the modified USB cable, which, whereas sketchy, is workable for straightforward experiments however not for flashing a mannequin new ROM. as quickly as related, the method of unlocking the bootloader was simply so straightforward as a consequence of it is on every Pixel telephone.
simply like Pixel sequence telephones, when the Pixel Watch bootloader is unlocked, you’re warned about it each time it restarts. that is an needed preventive measure to make sure that that anyone working modified/altered computer software on their watch or telephone is properly aware of it.
With this important foray into cracking open the Pixel Watch, it’s clear we’re at first of a mannequin new period of modding put on OS smartwatches. In time, the methods will hopefully enhance — whether or not Fitbit releases the debugging cable themselves or the neighborhood creates thought-about one of their very personal — and extra consideration-grabbing prospects will come up. For now, although, it’s simply gratifying to see the lengths to which some will go together with a function to change a system simply like the Pixel Watch.
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