Notification problems

I have been using my Bangle JS 2 for a few weeks now, and as a former Pebble user I love the watch. I love the idea, the open nature, the battery life, the eco system. There's a lot to love here. Just a few tweaks and for me it's perfect!

I do however have a few issues with notifications.

1. I'm using banglejs Gadgetbridge on my Android phone. When I receive a notification the watch shows the notifcation and vibrates. However, it will not stop vibriting until I press the button on the watch. Which means that if I don't wear the watch (for example at night) it will just continue to vibrate and drain the battery.
   Is there a fix for this? Did I miss a setting in Gadgetbridge?

2. Is there a way for the watch button to always instantly bring me back to the watch face? I don't need to see a list of older notifications. I find myself just endlessly pressing the back button until I see my watch face again after receiving a notification.

3. Last issue, and I've seen others mention this as well; the vibration motor is really weak. I have my phone set to silent and use my watch to notify me for incoming calls and messages. However, I miss a lot of calls because of the week vibration.

Is this something that can be addressed in software? Or is there a way to install a beefier vibration motor, like the on in the Pebble (set to jackhammer that thing could wake you up).

A couple of suggestions that might be solutions to your issues:

1. Check the in-watch settings for the Messages app and make sure "Repeat" is off.
   
2. A longer press (couple of seconds) will always bring you back to the watch face.
   
3. Same as 1. but change the vibration pattern to something that's longer or repeats in a pattern that's easier to detect.
   

I think @johan_m_o has got you covered there - but on #3, the vibration pattern used makes a huge difference to how easy it is to notice. There is a selection of patterns, but if you really care you can even log in with the IDE and write your own pattern into the settings file - like if you want it to buzz 10 times or something that's not an option.

These vibration patterns are exactly what I was looking for! I have also disabled repeat, which was set to 4 seconds (I feel it was longer than that). I'll test these settings today, see if it helps.

I know about the long press, but I don't like it. I guess that is something I will have to get used to.

Thanks @johan_m_o and @Gordon.

I know about the long press, but I don't like it.

You could try the fast reset app. If you do and there is something you think needs fixing please do tell! 🙂

You could try the fast reset app. If you do and there is something you think needs fixing please do tell! 🙂

Awesome. Installed. I'll let you know if I run in any issues.

I guess that is something I will have to get used to.

Well, the idea of Bangle.js if you don't have to if it bothers you. The handler for when you press the button on a message is here:

https://github.com/espruino/BangleApps/b­lob/master/apps/messagegui/app.js#L343-L­348

If you change it to:

function goBack() {
    layout = undefined;
    msg.new = false; // read mail
    load(); // the 'kill' event handler calls saveMessages
  }

and upload it'll probably do what you want. It could even be made into an option in the messages app.

Well, the idea of Bangle.js if you don't have to if it bothers you. The handler for when you press the button on a message is here:

I took me some figuring out how to get the edited file on the watch, but that definitely did the trick!