• Pebble Crowdfunds its New Color Model which is set to take on the Apple Watch

    by
    Akshay Masand
    Published on 2015-02-25 06:03 PM
    5 Comments Comments


    Pebble, which is best known for being a huge success on Kickstarter, recently returned to its roots by looking to crowd fund its next-generation smartwatch with a color display and voice input. The move is likely one that the company is making to take on the upcoming Apple Watch. With a fundraising goal of $500,000, Pebble ended up blowing past its target almost immediately after the campaign was announced. The biggest highlights of the new model is a color e-paper display that the company claims will offer roughly 7 days of battery life.

    Given the name “Pebble Time,” the device also features a new timeline interface that’s said to highlight what’s important. Furthermore, the hardware is water resistant and remains compatible with the existing 6,500 Pebble apps and watch faces. An integrated microphone also gives users the ability to send voice replies to incoming notification, though voice replies will be limited to Gmail notifications on an iPhone at first. Android users will reportedly be able to send voice replies with “most” major apps for the platform.

    In terms of build quality and size, the Pebble Time is 20% thinner than the original model at just 9.5 millimeters and also features a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass display. The watch will be using the standard 22-millimeter watchband and step tracking will require a separate Misfit or Jawbone device. The company claims that the display is both daylight readable and has a backlight as well.

    Input with the Pebble continues to remain driven solely by physical buttons with three located on the right side of the hardware and one on the left. The redesigned user interface uses the top right button for “past” information, the center one to access the “present,” and the button on the bottom right for the “future.” Furthermore, the Pebble Time will be compatible with any iPhone past the iPhone 4S that is running iOS 8.

    As of right now, Pebble expects the device to ship to customers in May. The final shipping price of the device will be $199 with Kickstarter supporters will be getting a discounted price. Apple on the other hand will begin shipping its own Apple Watch to customers in April. The Cupertino California company will be shipping its smartwatch for $150 more than the new Pebble Time but will offer additional functionality such as an OLED touchscreen, step tracking, heart rate monitoring, Siri compatibility and more.

    What are your thoughts of the Pebble Time? Do you think Pebble will be able to compete with Apple?

    Source: Kickstarter
    This article was originally published in forum thread: Pebble Crowdfunds its New Color Model which is set to take on the Apple Watch started by Akshay Masand View original post
    1. Categories:
    2. iPhone,
    3. iOS,
    4. Apple,
    5. Accessories
    Comments 5 Comments
    1. HovikGas's Avatar
      HovikGas - 2015-02-25, 09:34 PM
      The only advantage is the battery life, which is definitely going to blow Apple Watch out of the water. But is that enough? Not for me. I'd rather charge it everyday, but have the touchscreen and Siri compatibility. I'll be looking to sell my Pebble Steel soon, any takers? Haha
    1. Jahooba's Avatar
      Jahooba - 2015-02-26, 03:50 AM
      I wonder why they didn't use a Mirasol display.
    1. aceestes's Avatar
      aceestes - 2015-02-26, 07:58 PM
      I don't know. Battery life is a really big deal to me in a smartwatch. I backed the first Pebble and after a few months of having it, it turned into a standard watch. I switched off the Bluetooth to extend the battery life and used it for the clock and alarm features more than anything. If I had to charge it daily it definitely wouldn't have gotten much use. Having my wrist vibrate was convenient at first but having a conversation through text really irritated my wrist after a while. It was especially useless since I still have to pull out my phone to reply.

      I think that would be the only real selling point for me regarding the Apple Watch, being able to reply to text with out pulling my phone out. But knowing how much I use my phone I know I'll probably end up having to charge my watch twice a day at least. It also means I'll end up having to buy and extra charging cable. Maybe even two. I normally don't but first gen Apple products so this will be my first. Hopefully I don't end up with another pebble on my wrist by the end of the year. But if I do at least I know I won't have to break the bank like with Apple.
    1. bstunt10190's Avatar
      bstunt10190 - 2015-02-27, 10:18 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by aceestes View Post
      I don't know. Battery life is a really big deal to me in a smartwatch. I backed the first Pebble and after a few months of having it, it turned into a standard watch. I switched off the Bluetooth to extend the battery life and used it for the clock and alarm features more than anything. If I had to charge it daily it definitely wouldn't have gotten much use. Having my wrist vibrate was convenient at first but having a conversation through text really irritated my wrist after a while. It was especially useless since I still have to pull out my phone to reply.

      I think that would be the only real selling point for me regarding the Apple Watch, being able to reply to text with out pulling my phone out. But knowing how much I use my phone I know I'll probably end up having to charge my watch twice a day at least. It also means I'll end up having to buy and extra charging cable. Maybe even two. I normally don't but first gen Apple products so this will be my first. Hopefully I don't end up with another pebble on my wrist by the end of the year. But if I do at least I know I won't have to break the bank like with Apple.
      Sms replying via your pebble: http://www.reddit.com/r/pebble/comments/2qj8ux/guide_ios_how_to_use_smartwatch_to_the_fullest/

      For iOS.
    1. eballesq's Avatar
      eballesq - 2015-02-27, 11:49 AM
      Quote Originally Posted by HovikGas View Post
      The only advantage is the battery life, which is definitely going to blow Apple Watch out of the water. But is that enough? Not for me. I'd rather charge it everyday, but have the touchscreen and Siri compatibility. I'll be looking to sell my Pebble Steel soon, any takers? Haha
      Ditto for me.

  • Connect With Us

  • Discord

    Join our Discord

  • Twitter Box

  • Facebook