Tag: Core 2 Duo

  • Pebble Core 2 Duo: Innovative Charging Adapter for Retro Smartwatch

    Pebble Core 2 Duo: Innovative Charging Adapter for Retro Smartwatch

    Key Takeaways

    1. Pebble is reintroducing the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2, now called Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, with a shipping date of July 2025.
    2. The Core 2 Duo is priced at $149 and aims to compete with budget-friendly smartwatches like the Huawei Watch Fit 3.
    3. It features easy charging with a USB-C adapter, allowing use of old Pebble cords and standard mobile device cables.
    4. The Core 2 Duo has a battery life of 30 days, significantly improved from the original Pebble 2’s 7 days, requiring fewer charges annually.
    5. Both models support over 10,000 third-party apps and watch faces through open-source PebbleOS, with the Core Time 2 offering heart rate monitoring.

    Back in the middle of March, Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, shared exciting news about bringing back the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2, now rebranded as the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2. In the video linked below, he gave a sneak peek of what comes in the box of the Core 2 Duo, which is set to start shipping in July 2025. This smartwatch is priced at $149 and aims to go head-to-head with budget-friendly smartwatches, like the Huawei Watch Fit 3, which is around $140 on Amazon.

    Charging Made Easy

    The smartwatch comes with an adapter that allows charging through a standard USB-C cable. This smart design means that long-time fans can still use their old Pebble charging cords, while new users can utilize the same cable they already have for most mobile devices. The adapter is compact enough to attach to a key ring. With the Core 2 Duo boasting a significantly enhanced battery life of 30 days—up from the original Pebble 2’s 7 days—users will likely find themselves charging it only 12 times a year.

    Simple Yet Effective

    The first-look video doesn’t feature the sports band, which will be part of the final product. In today’s tech landscape, the Core 2 Duo stands out as a straightforward smartwatch, showcasing a 1.28-inch black-and-white screen, a waterproof plastic casing, sleep tracking capabilities, and a pedometer. Heart rate monitoring is a feature reserved for the pricier Core Time 2. Both models are fitted with a microphone and speaker, and they work seamlessly with Apple iPhones and Android devices. Importantly, PebbleOS is open source, giving users access to over 10,000 third-party apps and watch faces.

    Eric Migicovsky (X)

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  • PebbleOS Core Time 2 & Core 2 Duo Smartwatches with E-Paper Displays

    PebbleOS Core Time 2 & Core 2 Duo Smartwatches with E-Paper Displays

    Key Takeaways

    1. Pebble has launched two new smartwatches, the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, featuring the open-source PebbleOS and e-paper displays.
    2. The Core 2 Duo has a 1.26-inch display, 30-day battery life, step and sleep tracking, and is made of polycarbonate with IPX8 water resistance.
    3. The Core Time 2 offers a larger 1.5-inch touchscreen display, 200×228 resolution, and a more premium design with a metallic frame and buttons.
    4. Both models provide access to over 10,000 Pebble apps and include health tracking features like heart rate, step, and sleep tracking.
    5. Pre-orders are available for both models, with the Core 2 Duo priced at $149 and shipping in July 2025, while the Core Time 2 is priced at $225 and shipping in December 2025.

    Pebble smartwatches were anticipated to return with the previously announced PebbleOS. Now, PebbleOS has launched two new smartwatches featuring their signature e-paper displays, named the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2. Let’s take a closer look at them.

    Core 2 Duo

    Eric Migicovsky, the Pebble smartwatch founder, has just revealed these watches from the Core series. The first one is the Core 2 Duo, which keeps the original Pebble design and operates on the open-source PebbleOS. It boasts a 1.26-inch black and white e-paper display and includes access to over 10,000 Pebble apps along with various watch faces. The watch is made with polycarbonate, ensuring it has IPX8 water resistance.

    This model features a microphone and can track your steps as well as your sleep cycle. One of the standout features of Pebble’s e-paper watches has always been their long-lasting batteries, and the Core 2 Duo takes this to the next level with an impressive 30-day battery life, a significant upgrade from the 7-day life of the Pebble 2. It operates on the Nordic nRF52840 BLE chipset and comes with more reliable buttons. Additionally, the Core 2 Duo includes a speaker, barometer, and compass.

    Core Time 2

    The Core Time 2 seems to be the more upscale option out of the two newly introduced models. Eric even referred to it as his “dream watch.” It features a taller 1.5-inch e-paper display with 46-bit colors, a higher resolution of 200×228, and supports touchscreen functionality. This model also provides various watch faces and access to over 10,000 Pebble apps. For a more premium feel, the smartwatch is constructed with a metallic frame and buttons, and it also has an IPX8 rating for water resistance.

    The Core Time 2 is available in two colors, black and white. Besides the extensive 30-day battery life, this model offers heart rate, step, and sleep tracking as well. It also includes a microphone, speaker, and a linear resonance actuator. The device is designed with a standard 22mm strap. Both models use the PebbleOS platform, which includes essential fitness tracking features.

    Pricing and Availability

    Both smartwatches can be pre-ordered at store.rePebble.com. However, inventory is limited, so production quantities are also constrained. Migicovsky recommended that buyers place pre-orders since sign-ups have already surpassed the available units. Pre-orders are fully refundable until shipping. The Core 2 Duo is priced at 149 US Dollars, scheduled to ship in July 2025. In contrast, the Core Time 2 is set to ship in December 2025 with a price tag of 225 US Dollars.

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  • Core 2 Duo: $149 PebbleOS Smartwatch with 30-Day Battery Life

    Core 2 Duo: $149 PebbleOS Smartwatch with 30-Day Battery Life

    Key Takeaways

    1. Core Devices has launched two new smartwatches, the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, following the public release of PebbleOS.
    2. The new watches do not carry the Pebble brand name, as Google likely owns that trademark.
    3. The Core 2 Duo is inspired by the Pebble 2 and features a 1.26-inch monochrome ePaper display, step and sleep tracking, and supports thousands of Pebble apps and watchfaces.
    4. Key improvements in the Core 2 Duo include a speaker, upgraded Bluetooth chip, and additional sensors like a barometer and electronic compass.
    5. The Core 2 Duo is priced at $149, available for pre-order, and will ship in July, but will not be sold in retail stores.

    After almost two months since Google opened up PebbleOS to the public, the first smartwatches powered by this operating system have finally been unveiled. These new devices, called the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, come from a new company named Core Devices, which was started by Eric Migicovsky, the original creator of Pebble before it was acquired by Fitbit.

    Not Pebble-branded Watches

    It’s crucial to understand that these watches don’t carry the Pebble name, as that brand is likely still owned by Google. However, many people may still call them Pebble watches, which could contribute to their popularity in the market.

    Core 2 Duo Specifications

    The Core 2 Duo is the more affordable option between the two (for details on the Core Time 2, you can look elsewhere), and it is inspired by the Pebble 2 that launched in 2016. It features a 1.26-inch (144 x 168) monochrome ePaper display encased in a polycarbonate body, complete with plastic buttons on the side. The watch comes with a 22mm strap, though it doesn’t specify what material that strap is made of.

    In addition to step and sleep tracking, which were available on the Pebble 2, the Core 2 Duo supports thousands of apps and watchfaces that were created for the Pebble ecosystem. Improvements over the Pebble 2 include a speaker, a Nordic nRF52840 Bluetooth LE chip, a stronger but quieter linear resonance actuator instead of a traditional vibrating motor, a barometer, and an electronic compass.

    Pricing and Availability

    You can get the Core 2 Duo in Black and White for $149. Pre-orders are already open, and the watches are set to ship in July. Unfortunately, they will be sold in limited amounts and won’t be available in retail stores, which means pre-ordering is the only way to secure one of these devices.

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