Amazfit has released the WatchFM app, which allows you to listen to internet radio directly from your smartwatch — without downloading tracks to the device. At first glance, this sounds like a step toward true autonomy for smartwatches. In practice — the opposite.
The thing is, WatchFM doesn't work independently. To stream, you need a smartphone with the Zepp app running in the background and an active Bluetooth connection. Even if the watch has its own Wi-Fi module and could theoretically connect to the internet directly, without a phone nearby, the radio simply stays silent.
This is a typical situation for the wearable gadget industry: marketing promises a new feature, while the fine print hides dependence on a smartphone. The watch here serves as a remote control and speaker, not as an independent media player.
What the service offers now
The choice of stations is currently modest — among the available options are Australian SBS PopAsia and American KIIS FM. There are no Ukrainian or local stations. Playback continues in background mode, there is listening statistics and battery level control — a basic set that you would expect from any music app.
Compatibility is also limited: WatchFM only works with Amazfit models that have a round display. Owners of the Cheetah 2 Pro can already test the feature without noticeable glitches, but square-shaped models are waiting for an update without a clear deadline.
Why is this needed at all
For those who run or train without a phone in their pocket, WatchFM is not yet a solution — Bluetooth connection with a smartphone is still mandatory. The real benefit of the feature will appear only if Amazfit removes the dependence on Zepp and allows the watch to connect to radio stations directly via its own Wi-Fi.
Until that happens, WatchFM should be seen as a convenient way to control playback from your wrist, rather than as a new level of gadget autonomy. The question is whether the next updates will give the watch the ability to work without a phone nearby, or if this "feature" will remain a semi-functional supplement to the smartphone.
