Pebble Smartwatch is Back and Better Than Ever
The Pebble Smartwatch is officially back in 2024, and it’s making waves in the wearable tech industry! Known for its long battery life, e-paper display, and open-source compatibility, Pebble has been a cult favorite since its launch in 2012.
But after Fitbit acquired Pebble in 2016, the brand disappeared—until now. If you’re a fan of lightweight, functional, and affordable smartwatches, you’re in for a treat.
The Pebble team has revived two incredible models: the Pebble Core 2 Duo and Pebble Core Time 2. But what’s new? Let’s explore everything you need to know about this exciting comeback.
A Blast From the Past: Pebble’s Triumphant Return
The original Pebble Smartwatch was a game-changer. It arrived at a time when smartwatches were just starting to gain traction.
What made it so special? Well, for starters, it was one of the first mainstream smartwatches that caught people’s attention.
Why Pebble Mattered
Back in 2012, Pebble launched a Kickstarter campaign and raised over $10 million! That’s a lot of money for a smartwatch concept. People were interested.
Over its lifespan, Pebble sold over 2 million units. Its popularity didn’t go unnoticed. Fitbit eventually acquired Pebble for $23 million in December 2016.
They got all of Pebble’s intellectual property, including software, firmware, and some talented people.
From Acquisition to Open Source
After Fitbit bought Pebble, all future projects were canceled. It seemed like we’d never see Pebble again.
Then, Google bought Fitbit in 2021. Four years later, they decided to open source Pebble. This meant anyone could use it. It was a huge win for the Pebble community.
The Founder’s Vision
Eric Migicovsky, the founder of the Pebble Smartwatch, didn’t want the story to end there. He announced that he would continue working on a Pebble-like device.
He wanted to pick up right where they left off in 2016. On March 18th, we finally got some real information about this new project.
And if you loved the classic Pebble, you’re going to love this. Check out Eric Migicovsky’s announcement to learn more.
Meet the New Pebbles: Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2
So, what exactly are we getting? Eric Migicovsky is bringing us two new smartwatches: the Pebble Core 2 Duo and the Pebble Core Time 2.
Pebble Core 2 Duo: The Affordable Classic Reimagined
The Core 2 Duo is basically a complete remake of the Pebble 2, but with modern components. It’s priced at $149.
Design and Display
It features a crisp 1.26-inch black and white e-paper display. E-paper displays are great because they offer excellent battery life and are easy to read, even in direct sunlight.
The frame is made of polycarbonate and comes in black or white. The watch is also water-resistant, with a target of IPX8 certification.
Features
The Core 2 Duo includes a microphone and speaker, mainly for interacting with apps like ChatGPT.
It’s not designed for phone calls. It also has step and sleep tracking, plus a 30-day battery life! You can also use standard 22mm watch straps, which is great because there are tons of options available.
For those who like to tinker, there’s an optional JTAG connector for hacking the firmware.
Pebble Core Time 2: The Premium Upgrade
The Core Time 2 is what Eric Migicovsky calls his “dream watch.” It’s everything the Pebble Time 2 was going to be. This model costs $225.
Design and Display
It has a larger 1.5-inch 64-color e-paper display that’s touch-enabled. The frame and buttons are metal, likely made of CNC aluminum.
It will be available in black and white, with a possible third color option. Like the Core 2 Duo, it’s targeting IPX8 water resistance.
Features
The Core Time 2 includes a heart rate sensor, microphone, and speaker. It’s also compatible with 22mm watch straps and has an estimated 30-day battery life.
The touch-enabled display allows for one-tap complications on watch faces, similar to what you see on modern smartwatches.
Pebble Core 2 Duo vs. Pebble Core Time 2
| Feature | Core 2 Duo | Core Time 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $149 | $225 |
| Display | 1.26” Black & White e-paper | 1.5” 64-Color e-paper (Touch) |
| Frame | Polycarbonate | Metal |
| Water Resistance | IPX8 Target | IPX8 Target |
| Heart Rate Sensor | No | Yes |
| Microphone/Speaker | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 30 days | 30 days |
| Other Features | Optional JTAG connector | One-Tap Complications |
Pebble’s Software Experience: A Familiar Friend
Both smartwatches run the open-source Pebble OS. This means you’ll get all the classic Pebble features you know and love.
Classic Pebble Features
- Notifications
- Timeline functionality
- Watch faces
- Alarms
The timeline functionality is a unique way to organize your day. It shows you past, present, and future events in a simple, chronological view.
App and Watch Face Compatibility
You’ll have access to over 10,000 Pebble apps and watch faces right from the start.
Most existing apps and watch faces should work, although some might show a border on the larger Core Time 2 until they’re updated.
New Companion App
There will also be a new companion app for iOS and Android. An updated SDK (software development kit) is being released for developers, too.
This means developers can create new apps and watch faces for the new Pebbles.
Expectations and Availability: A Labor of Love
It’s important to understand the scope of this project. Eric Migicovsky has made it clear that releasing these Pebble watches is a “labor of love,” not a large startup aiming for mass sales.
Limited Scope
This means there might be some rough edges, potential delays, and missing features at launch.
Things might break or not last as long as desired. As Eric said, the guarantee is that these smartwatches will be awesome and a lot of fun.
The Focus on Fun
This isn’t meant to be an Apple Watch competitor or a high-end sports and fitness watch. It’s about creating a fun experience.
Limited Availability
These watches will be sold exclusively through the Repebble store. Quantities will be limited because of a limited supply of display components.
Pre-ordering is highly recommended because the number of watches being manufactured is fewer than the number of people already signed up on the website.
Shipping Dates
Shipments for the $149 Core 2 Duo will begin in July. Shipments for the $225 Core Time 2 will begin in December.
Supply Chain Challenges
Hopefully, they can sort out the supply chain issues so more people can enjoy these smartwatches.
Final Thoughts: A Promising Comeback
Why is Pebble’s return so significant? It’s bringing back a beloved brand with a focus on simplicity, long battery life, and developer support.
The Right Approach
Pebble is doing all the right things. They’re focusing on the core features that made the original so popular: the e-paper display, physical buttons, and long battery life. They’re also keeping the pricing affordable.
Potential Market Impact
Could this shake up the smartwatch market? It’s possible. By focusing on simplicity and affordability, Pebble could appeal to a different audience than the high-end smartwatches currently dominating the market.
The return of the Pebble Smartwatch is an exciting event for the tech world, and it’s great to see the project moving forward.
