Many people fondly recall the Pebble smartwatches, which boasted features like an e-paper display, impressive battery life lasting multiple days, and a lightweight operating system known as PebbleOS. These watches were incredibly popular; in fact, the Pebble Time, the company’s second smartwatch, still holds the title of the second most-funded product on Kickstarter. Unfortunately, due to disappointing sales and a series of poor choices, as outlined by CEO Eric Migicovsky in a blog entry, the company was sold to Fitbit in 2016, which is now part of Google.
A New Beginning for Smartwatches
Since the Pebble 2 debuted in 2016, there haven’t been any new releases. However, Eric’s determination has led to the announcement of a new smartwatch that is inspired by the original Pebble line, although it likely won’t bear the Pebble name, which remains under Google’s control.
In a recent blog post, Eric Migicovsky has disclosed that he is launching a new venture to create a smartwatch reminiscent of Pebble. This upcoming device will utilize PebbleOS, which Google has made open source and available on GitHub. So, credit is due to Google for this move.
Exciting Features Ahead
While the new watch doesn’t yet have a specific name, it will feature the same specifications and functionalities as the original Pebble, but will also include some exciting new additions. It will operate on the open source PebbleOS and will support all existing Pebble apps and watch faces.
Eric has expressed that he has gained valuable insights from previous errors and intends for the new company to remain small and focused, without plans to seek outside funding or hire a large staff. The goal is to create a self-sustaining business that continues to innovate and keeps the Pebble legacy alive for years to come.
Anticipation from Fans
Details about the release date for this new Pebble-like smartwatch are still unclear, but enthusiasts of the original Pebble devices are eager for new hardware that offers the cherished software experience. However, since the operating system has been made open source, it wouldn’t be surprising if another company manages to launch a similar product before Eric’s own venture does.
Moreover, the fact that the OS is open source means that current Pebble watch owners can still receive software updates, which will add new features and enhance their devices.
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