New Pebble Launched on Kickstarter

[ControlD]

I got an email yesterday from Pebble to be on the lookout for an announcement today. Checking the website, it seems Pebble is launching a color display version of the watch, called Pebble Time, with a few interface enhancements as well. I'm not sure how many Pebble users we have here, but I have one and it think it is fantastic. I'm not sure I feel the need to upgrade to the newer model, but I'm glad to see them readying a new product.

*edit*
This model also has a microphone so you can respond to notifications and send texts with voice. That would be pretty nice actually. They have already far exceeded the $500,000 goal and all of the early bird ($159) pledges are spoken for.


https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-time-awesome-smartwatch-no-compromises?utm_campaign=ks2&utm_content=hero&utm_medium=web&utm_source=getpebble.com

 

[rudeguy]

Already full funded at $2.5M and climbing.

 

[bearxor]

I have a red Pebble and have been contemplating what to do in the future. I'm extremely disappointed in the fitness tracking aspects of the Pebble but it was designed in a work where that wasn't a thing.

Here's what I don't like.

Kickstarter as a preorder system. They're not funding development. They're taking pre-orders. This isn't what Kickstarter is for.

Screen is 38% of the face. Bezel is 62%. What?

Timeline interface looks like a step backwards.

I will probably focus my attention on an Apple Watch now... I think that if you dig the Pebble Time then you're probably best holding out for it to be officially released, since it ships to stores in May, for a review and possibly even longer for a 'steel-ish' revision of the model.

 

[ControlD]

I have a red Pebble and have been contemplating what to do in the future. I'm extremely disappointed in the fitness tracking aspects of the Pebble but it was designed in a work where that wasn't a thing.

Here's what I don't like.

Kickstarter as a preorder system. They're not funding development. They're taking pre-orders. This isn't what Kickstarter is for.

Screen is 38% of the face. Bezel is 62%. What?

Timeline interface looks like a step backwards.

I have the red one as well!

Yeah, the bezel is very large on this one. I'm not sure if that has to do with the screen technology, the microphone or what.

I sort of find all of the fitness tracking stuff to very gimmicky anyhow so I guess that doesn't bother me. I can count my steps with it, but I'm not sure why I care about that. I run almost every day so I end up with something like 20,000 steps anyhow. Still, better fitness tracking would be a big selling point.

 

[bearxor]

I would also say that it's worth waiting especially now that the $159 backers have sold out. The next level is $180 which sounds like a great $20 off retail, but anyone can go in to a USPS location and get a 10% off coupon at BB and get a $19.99 discount off a $199.99 Pebble Time whenever they feel like it.

 

[Roland00Address]

I hope the Pebble succeeds though it is going to be harder now with Android Wear and the Apple Watch.

They also know how to make a promotional video, all the stuff they were doing was exactly the stuff you should be doing if you wanted to keep a person interested and enthusiastic during the entire video. They understand consciously or unconsciously how to appeal to the human brain.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Um, why would I want this over an Android Wear watch? Especially the second gen when we will get round OLED screens? OOOO a microphone, something Android Wear has had from the start.

Pebble was a cool device before smartwatch was a concept. Now that Google and Apple are in the form factor it belongs in a museum next to a Palm Pilot.

 

[webdave]

Um, why would I want this over an Android Wear watch? Especially the second gen when we will get round OLED screens? OOOO a microphone, something Android Wear has had from the start.

Pebble was a cool device before smartwatch was a concept. Now that Google and Apple are in the form factor it belongs in a museum next to a Palm Pilot.

1 week vs 1 day battery life.

 

[ControlD]

Um, why would I want this over an Android Wear watch? Especially the second gen when we will get round OLED screens? OOOO a microphone, something Android Wear has had from the start.

Pebble was a cool device before smartwatch was a concept. Now that Google and Apple are in the form factor it belongs in a museum next to a Palm Pilot.

I prefer the Pebble to Android Wear, and it isn't even close, although full disclosure I have only used a Wear watch for a day (the Samsung one).

The Pebble lasts for around a week between charges. The screen is easy to read in all lighting conditions and doesn't need to sleep to preserve battery life. It doesn't lock me into one ecosystem. There are probably more apps available for Pebble. I can't think of a single thing a Wear watch would give me that would get me to switch.

And .. it doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money. My Pebble was $99.

 

[poofyhairguy]

1 week vs 1 day battery life.

First of all I get more like two days on my first-gen device. Secondly the functionality gap for all that power is HUGE.

I mean a Kindle Paperwhite will last WAY longer for reading than my iPad, but the iPad sells way more units in a year than Kindle because they can do way more. For most power> battery as long as the battery is reasonable (aka get you through a day).

I know early on people were freaking out about smartwatch batteries because Pebble set the tone, but as soon as that Apple Watch hits the inevitableness of charging two devices on your nightstand every night instead of one will sink in. And then the Pebble is a niche dinosaur.

One more month...

 

[ControlD]

all that power is HUGE.



I know early on people were freaking out about smartwatch batteries because Pebble set the tone, but as soon as that Apple Watch hits the inevitableness of charging two devices on your nightstand every night instead of one will sink in. And then the Pebble is a niche dinosaur.

One more month...

As much as I like my Pebble, I agree with you that it is most likely doomed to fail. I personally don't believe it is for a lack of functionality however. It is a lack of bling and lack of a piece of fruit on the logo that will kill it.

 

[Roland00Address]

Um, why would I want this over an Android Wear watch? Especially the second gen when we will get round OLED screens? OOOO a microphone, something Android Wear has had from the start.

Pebble was a cool device before smartwatch was a concept. Now that Google and Apple are in the form factor it belongs in a museum next to a Palm Pilot.

It is "simpler", with less distractions and thus some people will argue more useful utility.

There is no doubt the Android wear watches and Apple Watch have more capabilities and arguably more overall utility, but those extra features make the watch more complicated and arguably a distraction and complication in your daily life instead of something that simplifies your life.

-----

But you are right, I am wondering if pebble can survive at a $200 price point against similar price android wear devices or even cheaper android wear devices. Would it not be better to make a color e-ink device that is based off android wear and then have a "master app" which is the pebble app which works like a homescreen?

Yes there are some severe downsides to this, but I am wondering if pebble is only catering to a specific but shrinking type of consumer and thus may be making mistakes similar to the early demise of blackberry as soon as the iphone came out.

Sure they sold about 3.97 million revenue at the time of this post, but at the time of this post that is only 21874 watches. That is a miniscule market share.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I prefer the Pebble to Android Wear, and it isn't even close, although full disclosure I have only used a Wear watch for a day (the Samsung one).

That is your issue. Keep Wear on your wrist for a month and you won't be able to live without it. The real benefits are the contextual second screen uses that only come about when living with it longer-term. All that Google Now integration.

The screen is easy to read in all lighting conditions and doesn't need to sleep to preserve battery life.

Once Wear is all nicer round OLED screens that platform will be there too, but with color and touch.

It doesn't lock me into one ecosystem.

Which is a bad thing, it means it is a hack. The best solutions for the form factor are ones that force it to be a perfect compliment for the OS of your primary mobile device. That means a Google watch will always work better with Android than a Pebble, same for Apple.

There are probably more apps available for Pebble.

That gap is shrinking, and will be ANNIHILATED when the Apple Watch is launched and smartwatches "exist" for most people. Then the flood of apps will come, I expect a few killer apps that rely on a touchscreen (aka is something a Pebble can't do).

And .. it doesn't cost a ridiculous amount of money. My Pebble was $99.

That is basically what my G Watch cost me. Heck Bestbuy had them for $88 on Black Friday.

Back in 2013 when smartwatches were either a Pebble or the Samsung deadend the Pebble was king, but in 2015 we will see players with WAY more resources than Pebble put together ecosystems that will make what Pebble did seem quaint.

They are the next Blackberry.

 

[ControlD]

It is "simpler", with less distractions and thus some people will argue more useful utility.

-----

But you are right, I am wondering if pebble can survive at a $200 price point against similar price android wear devices or even cheaper android wear devices. Would it not be better to make a color e-ink device that is based off android wear and then have a "master app" which is the pebble app which works like a homescreen?

Yes there are some severe downsides to this, but I am wondering if pebble is only catering to a specific but shrinking type of consumer and thus may be making mistakes similar to the early demise of blackberry as soon as the iphone came out.

Sure they sold about 3.97 million revenue at the time of this post, but at the time of this post that is only 21874 watches. That is a miniscule market share.

Agree with the price point argument completely.

Why would Pebble base their watch around Android Wear? One big selling point for the Pebble is that is works equally (more of less) well with either Android or iOS devices. Even after the Apple Watch is released, the Pebble will still be a viable alternative for those that won't or can't shell out $349 for an accessory.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Why would Pebble base their watch around Android Wear?

Why do new Blackberries run Android apps? It is a bid to stay relevant:

http://gizmodo.com/pebble-smartwatches-are-getting-the-power-of-android-we-1671838328

I will say, the announcement of Wear notifications gave me hope for Pebble as maybe they will hit a niche and survive.

And I agree with you about the Fruit Logo bit, but that is reality. Heck I like it, all those suckers paying $350 for a first-gen watch are going to make the segment seem more real. Then when LG makes a 2016 copy with all the best Apple Watch features plus all the best Wear features for like $200 we all win.

 

[ControlD]

That is your issue. Keep Wear on your wrist for a month and you won't be able to live without it. The real benefits are the contextual second screen uses that only come about when living with it longer-term. All that Google Now integration.

[snipped]

I'm sure those are all good points. Honestly however maybe I am just a simpler user. I don't see the need for a touchscreen on my watch. I used a Garmin GPS watch for a VERY brief period of time that had a touchscreen. It sucked. Bad. I made sure to buy one with proper buttons. Then again, I like dials in my car. I like tactile feedback I suppose.

I guess I'm just getting old and set in my ways.

When Wear watches advance another 2-3 generations I can see me making the switch. Until then I guess I'm all set.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I can see that. Anyone buying a current Wear device has to deal with flaws while the Pebble is refined. Smart to wait, especially if you are on iOS (when HASN'T Apple screwed up a first gen product?).

 

[rudeguy]

I've used both Pebble, Tizen and Android Wear watches.

I much prefer Android Wear. For me the point of the watch is to get my notifications. I want to know if that last alert was for an important email or just youtube letting me know that failarmy uploaded a video. While both are things I want to know about, only one requires my attention (email can wait :awe: )

Tizen sucked. It wanted to be a phone on my wrist and I didn't need that. And I could only use it with a select few phones. I have nothing positive to say about my experience with the Galaxy Gear.

Pebble did work well. My issue was getting all the notifications that I wanted required me to do a lot more setup than I thought it should. I also had issues with the watch losing communication with my phone. The battery life was awesome but it didn't work the way I needed it to.

I'm still rocking Android Wear. Yes I only get a little over a day per charge but I don't need it on while I'm sleeping. I throw it on the charger while I'm sleeping just like my phone. If I forget, 1 hour on the charger will get me through a work day.

 

[Graze]

I dont have a smart watch but I know I would forego getting one no matter how great it was if it looked like this kids toy from a 90's cereal box.
Sorry Pebble you could do better.

 

[Red Storm]

Color e-ink is awesome to see, but really that's the only thing they've got going for them. Looks too much like a kid's toy. And as has already been mentioned, 2nd gen Android Wear devices will blow this away.

 

[ControlD]

Color e-ink is awesome to see, but really that's the only thing they've got going for them. Looks too much like a kid's toy. And as has already been mentioned, 2nd gen Android Wear devices will blow this away.

E-ink isn't nearly all they have going for them. But, it isn't pretty. People like pretty things and that will be the end of the Pebble most likely.

 

[Red Storm]

E-ink isn't nearly all they have going for them. But, it isn't pretty. People like pretty things and that will be the end of the Pebble most likely.

No I'm sure they'll sell a bunch (look at the kickstarter already in the millions), but it just looks terrible. A big, thick bezel and then even more bezel between that and the actual display.

 

[ControlD]

No I'm sure they'll sell a bunch (look at the kickstarter already in the millions), but it just looks terrible. A big, thick bezel and then even more bezel between that and the actual display.

I need to see one in person, but the bezel does look rather large. I sort of thought the original looked ugly too until I got one and I think it looks OK. Still, I think the $199 price point sort of removes one big advantage Pebble had, although I believe the price on the original was higher at some point than the current $99.

 

[tdawg]

Personally, I like how it looks; much better than the original version. But that bezel, both of them, are quite large.

I hope for my stock sake that enough suckers, er people, buy an Apple Watch, but they haven't solved anything at this point (no matter what "analysts" claim). Battery life still sucks, in line with Android Wear devices, and it still requires a paired phone.

I still argue most won't buy smartwatches because watches are primarily fashion accessories for people. For $349, people can buy some great looking timepieces instead of an iPod Nano with new UI.

 

[rudeguy]

$13,201,288 in the first week.

Man....