I have just ordered and tried the Xiaomi Mi Band 9 Active. I know it is against my principles to wear a device that literally reports my location via GNSS and how many hours I slept at what time. Nonetheless, I procrastinate my "privable" life until I am able to to setup a homelab server. Anyways, it is a very peciliar timing that just now the new "Barbenheimer" came out with Backrooms and Obsession movies. I intend to go watch them at the cinema and write about them on this blog as well.
Going back to the main topic, I think lately there has been a trend on going to Japan, running and fitness. I think these are not somethings that just came out on their own, I suspect the market for that. But as a result I have been exposed to a lot of fitness and running content. Then in August 2025 I started running with my brother. That led to me using the Asics' app for running then Starava then Mi Fitness with my new band.
One thing to note that these devices are usually very optimized for running and for people with health concerns that need some movement. But I believe (altough I did not try) that they would not work very well for lifting etc. Because of the nature of the two sports and their differences. One thing I want to observe is the performance on a tennis match.
The problem with this obsession is that do we really care about our wellbeing or is it forced upon us to sell something. Furthermore, even if it is forced, what to make of it? Is it really a bad thing to run or exercise just because it is gamified with some monetary gains through a corporation? I believe the answer lies on the premise that these products sell to us: where we have to contribute to the goal of the product. I know defending these products makes it look upside down, but in its core the issue is whether we would have taken action or not (without the product). Some products make life easier e.g. quality of life products, some make us buy more of it or its subscriptions. This line between the two categories is what determines the issue on these bands. I think that companies like Garmin and Apple force its user to adopt a sort of environment that milks the customer not treating them as humane. When it comes to Xiaomi, I believe the logic is same but implementation is different.
Then, what should we do? I think short term use of these devices are OK as can be deduced from my own usage. However if you have a local / community / open sourced alternative for these types of smart devices, go with them and build them yourself if you really can. But bev-waver of the line that every "smart" device comes with its survaillance and data theft. Next time you are about the buy a fridge, buy the dumb one, or for the dumb TV, the dumb phone etc. Just make sure you have a central computer to analyse the fitness data yourself, if I am able to understand how to extract that without the servers knowing them (locally), I will have achieved approval level satisfaction on this device.
Until then, see you again. castiellon