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We're bringing Pebble back

repebble.com

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Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#61

Post by FuriouslyAdrift »

ClassyJacket wrote: post #43
eab- wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The notifications aren't great, and the non-e-ink screen is a bit annoying. Also the low amount of physical buttons. But as someone who bought an OG Pebble and now has a Vivoactive 3, I think the fitness features are too nice to switch back fully to Pebble. Although I'll be very glad to see Pebble back!

Which watch has an e-ink(/epaper) display? I can only think of Watchy. Pebble was LCD.

Not a "normal" one, though...

"black and white memory LCD using an ultra low-power "transflective LCD" manufactured by Sharp"

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#62

Post by 2OEH8eoCRo0 »

ramses0 wrote: post #45
taeric wrote: post #12

First, let me say it is always fun to see people having fun with hobbies like this. Cool to see them making headway and having fun! I'm curious what the specific pitch is on this device? I have, so far, avoided Garmin in the watch space, but I'm growing very short on justifications for that. Would love to hear what the general value add for other options is.

Garmin Fenix 7 (and potentially Garmin Fenix 8 Solar) are reasonably button-y and kindof work "right" from a pebble fan. The biggest miss for most smartwatches is "buttons", "battery life" and "sunlight-readable screen". Buttons work without sight, buttons work in the shower (next track, volume, scrolling a notification, declining a phone call, stopping a timer), buttons can be "memorized", you can navigate buttons w…

The Garmin Fenix 8 is $1,099

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#64

Post by seltzered_ »

taeric wrote: post #12

First, let me say it is always fun to see people having fun with hobbies like this. Cool to see them making headway and having fun! I'm curious what the specific pitch is on this device? I have, so far, avoided Garmin in the watch space, but I'm growing very short on justifications for that. Would love to hear what the general value add for other options is.

I'm not sure you can put it in MBA language like 'specific pitch' or 'value add', you had to try it and see if it felt right for you.

The watch had a pretty coherent ux flow for a non-touchscreen device, and could be easily used with gloves on without even looking at the watch in some scenarios (e.g. shortcutting to music controls). It later paired some unique animations to make things feel friendly and a bit quirky ( https://www.slashgear.com/pebble-hires-webos-designers-for-u... ).

Also there was a pretty decent hobbyist/maker culture around the watch with the ideas of add-on accessories, etc.

The challenge from a business standpoint mightve been needing to provide vc-backed startup returns without killing the culture that loved the product. I think they were trying to find a way to do a subscription for extra services.

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#65

Post by normalaccess »

OH HAPPY DAY! I loved my pebble. It was the perfect balance of features and battery-life.

My favorite watch face inspired me to get into may e-ink projects.

  Horizon by JR Mobley
  https://store-beta.rebble.io/app/5616d36a6ddd7fea8800001f

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#66

Post by WD-42 »

ctkhn wrote: post #52
vermarish wrote: post #23

I love the animation when you click "No" on "Do you want a new Pebble?". So extra.

Gotta be honest I feel like Garmin is the perfect balance of pebble vs apple watch

I like my instinct, but Garmin is so locked down, less hackable than even an Apple Watch.

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#67

Post by erohead »

kilroy123 wrote: post #20

Does this mean things have worked out with Beeper? What will happen with that? I noticed development seemed to have stopped. It's nothing like it was before.

Things worked out! We got acquired. Heads down on merging - https://ericmigi.com/blog/why-were-bringing-pebble-back

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#68

Post by marcel_hecko »

jai_ wrote: post #40

I'm somewhat confused to why Google needed to open source the original Pebble source code for this project to exist? Was it not possible to already create a comparible e-ink screen, long life battery, smart watch without the source code? Is it the pebble branding itself that is important somehow?

As per blog post:

"PebbleOS took dozens of engineers working over 4 years to build..."

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#69

Post by mikestew »

culi wrote: post #46
jampekka wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Amazfit watches have done this for since 2016 or so. And cheaply.

watch(es)? As in you've had to replace them regularly? Hopefully Pebble takes seriously the "sustainbly" part of their relaunch. What you're describing sounds like everything I wanna avoid

WTF? No, as in “Amazfit makes more than one model of watch”. It’s a hard left into the weeds to come away with your interpretation.

Re: We're bringing Pebble back

#70

Post by 2dvisio »

My pebble (my wife’s pebble that she never wore) has lost some of its plastic cover a while ago (wear and tear) and won’t turn on anymore. Truly looking forward to this project succeeding in its intent!
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