Following the launch of its “Steel” series smart watch lineup last week, Pebble recently rolled out a version update for its iOS app, granting the wearable devices access to a new custom-built app store already populated with more than 1,000 titles. Divided into categories like Remotes, Daily, Notifications, Tools & Utilities, and Fitness and Games, the app store-within-an-app lets iOS users interact with Pebble hardware on a much deeper level than just reading push notifications and alerts. Developers now have access to powerful APIs that leverage the onboard processing power and communication suites of Apple’s iOS devices.
Despite having just opened, the store has been well curated and carries a wide range of titles, many of which have been available via a third-party database. From a FPS app that pushes map images to the wrist to a remote control for Nest’s thermostat, to tools for converting currencies and posting tweets, the Pebble app store appears to be well stocked. Along with independent developers, Pebble has a number of “flagship” partners, which at launch include Foursquare, Yelp!, GoPro and ESPN.
Most of the apps seem to be integrated meaning they can be installed and controlled directly by the new Pebble app. Some require users to download and run a companion app from the iOS App Store. Pebble seems to have tagged the non-integrated apps in a clear manner.
Although a good numbers of apps seem to be available at launch, a few of the titles seen at CES aren’t in the library just yet. Of the ones yet to be released is an app that controls the door locks on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and a Pandora remote control. The software is likely to appear in the store at a later date alongside a slew of apps that haven’t been announced publicly yet.
Pebble’s app store is compatible with all of the Pebble watches, starting from the earliest Kickstarter-backed units to the newly-shipped and redesigned Pebble Steel watches equipped with Gorilla Glass.
The Pebble app store is accessible within the Pebble 2.0 iOS app, a free download from the App Store.
Source: Pebble (blog) (iTunes)
Message