The individual behind the Pebble smartwatch, which arguably kickstarted the entire smartwatch craze when it launched in 2012, is returning to construct the true successor to it. In a weblog submit on his private web site, Eric Migicovsky wrote, “A small staff and I are diving again into the world of {hardware} to carry Pebble again!”
His announcement follows Google’s launch of the unique Pebble smartwatch software program — PebbleOS — as open supply, permitting eager Pebble house owners to extra simply adapt it to be used with trendy smartphones and techniques. There may be already a wholesome fanbase devoted to holding Pebble smartwatches and software program going, and the open supply library will assist velocity up the method of creating previous Pebble smartwatches extra usable in the present day.
Migicovsky continued to clarify what his plans are for the brand new smartwatch:
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“The brand new watch we’re constructing principally has the identical specs and options as Pebble, although with some enjoyable new stuff as properly. It runs open supply PebbleOS, and it’s suitable with all Pebble apps and watchfaces. In case you had a Pebble and beloved it, that is the smartwatch for you.”
He additionally talked concerning the “core set of options” he desires from a smartwatch, together with an always-on, e-paper display screen so it may be seen in daylight and isn’t as power-intensive as an OLED or LCD, buttons on the case, and a easy consumer interface constructed on “hackable” software program. He particularly mentions wanting so as to add the flexibility for builders to construct their very own watch faces for it. Whereas these options are his wishlist, it’s possible all will make it to his new smartwatch.
Migicovsky calls the undertaking a “Pebble substitute,” but it surely’s not sure the Pebble identify will likely be used. Pebble was bought to Fitbit, which in flip was bought by Google, and whereas the software program is now open supply, the identify could show harder to accumulate. Aside from Google presumably proudly owning it, there may be one other smartwatch firm releasing smartwatches utilizing the identify Pebble too.
It’s nonetheless early days for the undertaking, and Migicovsky desires to finish the product specification and timeline earlier than discussing the way you’ll have the ability to purchase one. He ends by saying the brand new smartwatch will likely be precisely just like the Pebble, “in virtually each approach,” which is certain to please the numerous followers of the unique. Whereas there will definitely be followers ready for the brand new Pebble, smartwatches have moved on since Pebble shook issues up between 2012 and 2016. Whether or not it’s a Casio G-Shock DW-H5600, a Withings ScanWatch 2, or an Apple Watch Sequence 10, the selection is much wider and extra inclusive in the present day.
Since Pebble’s demise, Migicovsky based Beeper, a common messaging app which discovered a strategy to put iMessage on Android and keep away from the entire blue bubble/inexperienced bubble social nightmare, with none safety issues both. Beeper was acquired by Automattic, which owns WordPress, in 2024.
