pebble

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How To Build A Smartwatch: Software - Setting Expectations & Roadmap
2 months ago
- Pebble 2 Duo shipping: 70% delivered, 14% in transit, 16% shipped next week; sold out with no more production.
- Company operates with 5 full-time employees (vs. 180 previously) to ensure sustainability; prioritize core features and manageable growth.
- Software development trade-offs: core functions must work reliably, but bugs, rough edges, and occasional broken features are accepted; focus on stability over new features.
- Software roadmap priorities include: getting PebbleOS ready for Pebble Time 2, improving battery life from 17 to 30 days, adding language packs, quality-of-life improvements, PebbleKit Android, adjustable watch settings from mobile, notifications overhaul, developer SDK enhancements, voice assistant, and watchface generator.
- PebbleOS history: built on FreeRTOS with $15M+ investment and 20 firmware engineers; open sourced by Google in 2025 after Fitbit acquisition.
- Key PebbleOS strengths: constraints-driven creativity, efficient protocol, backwards compatibility, excellent SDK that enabled 10,000+ apps/faces, and community-driven development.
- Core plans: retain existing UI/UX, preserve backwards compatibility, replace old mobile apps with new open-source libpebble3 library, and add local speech-to-text.
- Firmware work includes supporting new microcontrollers (nRF52840, SiFli), reducing power consumption, and integrating Moddable JavaScript runtime.
- SDK improvements: web-based Pebble Cloud SDK (under 1 minute to start), new code examples, APIs for touchscreen/speaker, and easier app submission.
- Appstore enhancements: better discoverability, filtering non-working apps, highlighting new watchfaces, and exploring a donation subscription funnel for developers.
Pebble Watch Software Is Now 100% Open Source + Tick Talk #4 - PT2 Demos!
2 months ago
- Pebble watch software is now 100% open source, including the new mobile app, for long-term sustainability.
- The Pebble Appstore now supports multiple feeds and has a publicly available backup via Archive.org for decentralization.
- Pebble Time 2 shipping schedule: most units expected in March/April, with efforts to ship some before Chinese New Year.
- Hardware sustainability is ensured through self-funding and repairable designs, like the screwed-on back cover of PT2.
- Core software components (PebbleOS, mobile app, developer tools) are fully open source to prevent future shutdown issues.
- Non-free components like heart rate sensors are optional; core open source software guarantees functionality.
- PT2 color options are black/grey, black/red, silver/blue, silver/grey; selection emails will be sent in weeks.
- Developer Dashboard and new appstore feed launched; developers can upload apps, with paid options available via Kiezel Pay.
Candid experiences starting a hardware startup
2 months ago
- Gave a talk at Hacker Dojo in Mountain View about 6 months before Pebble's Kickstarter launch.
- Had been building Pebble for 4 years and learned a significant amount during that time.
- Had no idea about the massive success that would later occur from the Kickstarter campaign.
Introducing Pebble - Hackable E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android
2 months ago
- Pebble is a hackable e-paper watch compatible with iPhone and Android.
- The product launched on Kickstarter on April 11, 2012.
- The project includes a link to the Kickstarter page and a Hacker News discussion thread.
Verge interview at CES 2016
2 months ago
- The text is a note about a Verge interview with Pebble at CES 2016.
- As of 2025, it is revealed that Pebble was in disarray behind the scenes.
- The company was about to undergo layoffs and enter its final year of operation.
Why We’re Bringing Pebble Back
2 months ago
- Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky announces a new smartwatch with core features: always-on e-paper screen, long battery life, simple UX, buttons, and hackability.
- Google has open-sourced PebbleOS, enabling the new watch to run it and remain compatible with existing Pebble apps and watchfaces.
- The new watch will be produced by a small, sustainable company without external funding, focusing on long-term viability.
- An open-source companion app called Cobble is being developed for iOS and Android.
- Sign up at rePebble.com to be notified of product specifications and ordering.
Introducing two new Pebble watches!
2 months ago
- Two new Pebble smartwatches announced: CorePebble 2 Duo ($149, July shipping) with black/white e-paper display, and CorePebble Time 2 ($225, December shipping) with 64-color display and touchscreen.
- Both run open source PebbleOS and are compatible with thousands of existing Pebble apps and watchfaces.
- Key features: always-on e-paper, long battery life (30 days), simple design, physical buttons, and hackable.
- Sold exclusively via pre-order at store.rePebble.com in limited quantities; refundable until shipment.
- CorePebble 2 Duo upgrades original Pebble 2 with modern chips, speaker, barometer, compass, and 30-day battery.
- CorePebble Time 2 adds a metal frame, larger display, and touchscreen for complications; no smartstrap support.
- Not a fitness/sports watch, and not comparable to Apple Watch; a labor of love with potential rough edges.
Gratitude and FAQ
2 months ago
- Two new PebbleOS watches were announced: Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, available for pre-order at store.rePebble.com.
- The founder expressed deep gratitude to the Pebble community, including Kickstarter backers, former employees, developers, and partners, for making the revival possible.
- Core 2 Duo uses recycled Pebble 2 components (including TPU buttons) but adds a mechanical insert to improve durability; button replacement is possible if needed.
- Core Time 2 will have a new design with metal buttons and is still in development; dimensions and specifications are not yet finalized.
- Both watches support iPhone and Android, with the same functionality as original Pebble (no SMS reply on iOS).
- A compass may be added to Core Time 2 after community feedback; a tiny, inexpensive chip is being considered.
- International shipments will be from Asia (likely Hong Kong) to avoid US tariffs; local import duties may apply.
- The new PebbleOS app will be compatible with old Pebble watches (firmware 3.x+), and the open-source firmware may be updated for older models by third-party developers.
- Color options for Core Time 2 will be announced later; users can choose before shipping (black, silver, and one other color).
- Features like heart rate sensor and touch screen can be turned off; PebbleOS is open source for full control.
Pebble Time 2* Design Reveal
2 months ago
- Pebble trademark recovered, new watch names: Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2.
- Final design for Pebble Time 2 revealed, improved from preliminary March version.
- Four colorways planned for Pebble Time 2, final names and selections pending.
- Pre-order customers can change from Pebble 2 Duo to Pebble Time 2 without losing place, via upcoming survey.
(re)Introducing the Pebble Appstore
2 months ago
- Manufactured 2,960 white Pebble 2 Duos in September, now transferring to fulfillment center for shipping.
- Black Pebble 2 Duo production delayed due to a China/Hong Kong holiday.
- Pebble Time 2 adds a scaling feature to expand existing watchfaces/apps to fill the larger 200x228 pixel display.
- Pebble Time 2 hardware moves from EVT to DVT stage, with work on coating, water resistance, and firmware integration.
- Mass production target set for end of year (Dec 26), causing December pre-orders to ship in January; Lunar New Year shutdown complicates schedule.
- Community developer ecosystem highlighted: over 2,000 apps and 10,000 watchfaces created; many being upgraded for larger screen.
- Partnered with Rebble Alliance to host the Pebble Appstore at apps.rePebble.com; no subscription required for app access.
- New appstore features include social previews and similar app recommendations; more features planned like emulator testing and broken API warnings.
- SDK updated to Python3, with a Cloud IDE for browser-based building and AI-assisted app creation via `pebble new-project --ai`.
- Future SDK roadmap includes package support, Timeline APIs, barometer/touchscreen/speaker support, and a new JS SDK using Moddable.
The new Pebble app is live on iOS and Android
2 months ago
- New Pebble app released on iOS and Android, compatible with all Pebble models including original Kickstarter Pebble, Pebble Steel, Time, Time Round, Pebble 2, Pebble 2 Duo, and Pebble Time 2.
- The app breathes new life into a 13-year-old product; users can dig out old Pebbles and use the app at rePebble.com/app.
- Ongoing improvements are planned (see software roadmap), and troubleshooting tips are available.
- A major new feature is local speech-to-text processing (try it out).
- Bluetooth connection to older Pebbles is less reliable than to newer models (P2D and PT2) due to inability to fix software bugs in old watches; users are advised not to leave negative reviews based on connectivity issues with older devices.
- The app's underlying library (libpebble3) has been open-sourced and is used in apps like MicroPebble; GadgetBridge is another open-source Pebble-compatible app supporting all Pebble watches.
Pebble, Rebble, and a Path Forward
2 months ago
- Eric Migicovsky states that Core Devices, Pebble community, and Rebble all want the same thing: Pebble watches to work long into the future.
- He disputes Rebble's claim that they '100%' own the Pebble Appstore data, arguing that the 13,000 apps were created by individual developers and should be freely available.
- He refutes four accusations from Rebble: (1) stealing open-source work, (2) taking libpebblecommon code, (3) breaking a promise about the developer site, and (4) scraping Rebble's app store.
- Eric explains that most of the libpebble3 library was written by Core Devices, and they purchased copyright to libpebblecommon code, all under open-source licenses.
- He clarifies that his personal webapp only displayed watchface names and screenshots for manual curation, not scraping apps from Rebble.
- The agreement between Core Devices and Rebble broke down over the archive of 13,000 apps; Eric advocates for a public, freely accessible archive on a neutral platform like Archive.org.
- He emphasizes that Core Devices has paid for open-source contributions (e.g., $10,000 to Codecoup for BLE fixes) and that all PebbleOS work is open source.
- Eric criticizes Rebble for creating a 'walled garden' and urges them to publish their app store archive, stating that the community should honor original developers.
February Pebble Production and Software Updates
2 months ago
- Pebble Time 2 is in the Production Verification Test (PVT) phase, with mass production scheduled to start on March 9 and deliveries beginning in early April, finishing by early June.
- Index 01 is also in PVT, aiming for mass production in March, with a ring sizer kit to be available for $10 and consideration of sizes 14 and 15 based on interest.
- Pebble Round 2 has completed Design Verification 1 (DVT1) and is on track for production in late May, benefiting from shared electrical design with Pebble Time 2.
- Software updates include improved weather functionality, WhatsApp call display on Android, fixed iOS crashing bugs, WebSocket support, and automatic API compatibility for legacy watchfaces.
- The Pebble Appstore is now native in the mobile app with filtering options for open-source apps and apps with working settings, and health data syncing has been added.
CloudPebble Returns! Plus New Pure JavaScript and Round 2 SDK
2 months ago
- CloudPebble has returned at cloudpebble.repebble.com, allowing browser-based Pebble app development without setup, though some features like GitHub syncing and JSHint are not yet working.
- Pebble SDK now supports Round 2 (gabbro platform) with a 260x260 pixel display, and old PTR apps automatically scale to fit.
- A new JavaScript SDK called Alloy, powered by Moddable, enables writing Pebble apps and watchfaces in standard JavaScript (ES2025) or TypeScript, running natively on the watch.
- Alloy is in Developer Preview, supports Emery and Gabbro platforms, allows mixing JavaScript with C code, and includes APIs like fetch() and WebSocket.
- Developers can try Alloy on CloudPebble or via the Pebble SDK with instructions provided, and feedback should be posted on the forum or GitHub.
- Many more SDK improvements are expected in future updates.

pebble

How To Build A Smartwatch: Software - Setting Expectations & Roadmap

Pebble Watch Software Is Now 100% Open Source + Tick Talk #4 - PT2 Demos!

Candid experiences starting a hardware startup

Introducing Pebble - Hackable E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android

Verge interview at CES 2016

Why We’re Bringing Pebble Back

Introducing two new Pebble watches!

Gratitude and FAQ

Pebble Time 2* Design Reveal

(re)Introducing the Pebble Appstore

The new Pebble app is live on iOS and Android

Pebble, Rebble, and a Path Forward

February Pebble Production and Software Updates

CloudPebble Returns! Plus New Pure JavaScript and Round 2 SDK