A bit more than a year ago I tried using AI to write some apps that I could use on my Amazfit watches. At that time I had one watch, the TREX-2
I later added the Balance 2, which is a bit more dressy
Compared to Apple, Google, or Samsung watches, I think these are a much better value. Anyway, back to writing an app for them. When I first tried, each AI I tried could not accomplish what I wanted. It came down to two issues, one was that they couldn’t find the Zepp OS documentation, and second they were terrible at writing the necessary code.
Well today I tried again and in no time I was able to create two apps.
The first was an interface to my Home Assistant system, which lets me control my lights via my watch. The second was an app that shows the bar codes for my various memberships. Now both of these uses had apps that did them in the Zepp app store, but they were paid apps. And they had more bells and whistles than I wanted. Also one was only available on the Balance 2, not on the TREX 2.
So I fired up Claude Code and told it what I wanted. It confirmed I had the necessary code installed on my computer already (from my previous attempt).
| Software | Version | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js (installed through nvm) | v22.21.0 | Runs the Zepp OS build tools |
| npm | 10.9.4 | Installs the project’s packages and the Zeus CLI |
Zeus CLI (@zeppos/zeus-cli, installed globally with npm) | 1.9.3 | Zepp’s command-line tool: zeus build, zeus dev, zeus preview, y zeus bridge for installing the app on the watch over Developer Mode |
| Zepp OS Simulator | 2.0.2 | Lets you test the app on screen with zeus dev. It’s optional because you can install straight to the watch. |
| Git | 2.34.1 | Version control |
| A code editor (and Claude Code) | Writing and editing the app |
Claude created the folder structure, coded everything, and then gave me the instructions on how to install the app on my watches. Installation was a breeze.
- Open the Zepp app on my phone
- For each watch put in to the developer bridge mode
- Run “zeus bridge” on the command line of my computer
- Type “connect” then “install”
and the app was on my watch.
Now think about the Home Assistant App. Claude had to know two different operating systems, the watches Zepp OS, and the Home Assistant OS. It had to figure out how to connect them and get them to do what I wanted. It had to deal with the fact that the watches os were at different releases. I am impressed. It would have taken me days to find and learn the Zepp OS developer guide, and don’t get me started on Home Assistant documentation.
Afterthoughts
As AI becomes more powerful, I think that people will not bother with creating clones of Photoshop or other proprietary software. While it is an interesting exercise, it currently is in a gray area with regards to copyright and intellectual property. Also the current attempts have been good with cloning the UI, but not all of the functionality. What I think will happen is that people will begin to have AI give them the solution that exactly fits their needs. So instead of asking for a Microsoft Word clone, users will discuss what they need from a word processor, and the AI will provide it. The result will be smaller, faster, will not track the user, or send information back to the vendor to be sold.
AI capability is almost there. I have been very successful with many projects. The bottleneck right now is on the user side. Users don’t know how to ask the AI so they get what they need. Also, today, having some understanding of software and computers is a big advantage. But soon, the AI will simply give the users the same things they are use to: an executable installer.
As for the watches, why did I choose Amazfit instead of Apple, Samsung, or Google. Two reasons. The Balance is Amazfits high end watch. While it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of the competitors, it does everything and more that I need. It also has fantastic battery life, up to seven days.