The Original Smartwatch, Pebble, Unveils a Vibrant New Version as Its Successor
Pebble Returns: Core Devices Unveils New Smartwatches
In an exciting turn of events, Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, has returned to the smartwatch scene with a new company called Core Devices. The company has announced the release of two new smartwatches, the Pebble 2 Duo and the Pebble Time 2, which are successors to the original Pebble watches.
The Pebble 2 Duo, priced at $149, is now available for pre-order, while the Pebble Time 2, priced at $225, is not yet available for pre-order. Due to US tariffs, orders in the US may cost around $10 more for the Pebble 2 Duo.
The Pebble 2 Duo boasts a battery life of up to thirty days on a single charge, an improvement from the seven days of the earlier Pebble watch. This extended battery life is attributed to improvements in Bluetooth chip efficiency over the past ten years. The watch also features a waterproof speaker and enhanced waterproofing.
The Pebble Time 2, on the other hand, includes some design improvements and is slightly different from the original Pebble Time 2 model from 2016. The exact specifications of the Pebble Time 2 are yet to be revealed, as it is still undergoing engineering testing.
Core Devices has shipped over 100 test units of the Pebble 2 Duo to alpha testers but has not yet entered mass production. Mass production and shipping are planned for late August for the first batch, with a second batch in mid-September. The Pebble Time 2 is still undergoing engineering testing and is not yet ready for mass production.
Both watches run on the open-source PebbleOS, designed to recapture the original Pebble's user experience. The software and app marketplace for the new Core Devices smartwatches will largely be identical to the Pebble lineup, after Google opened sourced PebbleOS. This means that a roughly combined 10,000 apps and watchfaces that were available on the older Pebble watches will be supported.
Core Devices is not aiming to compete with the likes of Apple or Garmin in terms of production or polish. Instead, the company is focusing on a niche market for people who do not need extensive health and fitness tracking. Migicovsky believes that there remains a niche in the market for such smartwatches.
The market for smartwatches has indeed changed, with the largest players focusing on health and fitness tracking. However, the Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2 will only have basic step and sleep tracking. This approach allows Core Devices to offer a more affordable option for those who want a smartwatch without the hefty price tag and extensive features.
With the re-emergence of Pebble under Core Devices, it seems that the smartwatch market is about to get a fresh injection of competition. Pre-orders for the Pebble 2 Duo are now open, and the Pebble Time 2 is expected to follow soon. Keep an eye out for updates on the Pebble Time 2's release date and the development of the new Pebble mobile app.
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- In the realm of technology, the future of smartwatches is about to get more intriguing with Gizmodo reporting on the return of Pebble, now under the new company, Core Devices.
- As TechCrunch reveals, the tech enthusiasts seeking affordable smart-home devices or unique gadgets may find their interest drawn towards the new Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2, the latest offerings from Core Devices.
- Engadget shares that, beyond the Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2, the tech industry can expect a revamped smart-home ecosystem, as the open-source PebbleOS will now support the combined 10,000 apps and watchfaces that were available on the older Pebble watches.
