What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
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What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
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Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#2Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it.
Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented?
I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#3Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
Even if you're not the only one, it might not be a big enough market to get the economies of scale required to turn a startup into a mass-market business
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#4Peeble certainly wasn't the first smartwatch company.
I have a few Casio and Timex that prove otherwise.
They were just a victim that smart watches aren't really that sustainable long term product.
There is a reason why Japan companies stop selling them in the 90's.
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#5Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
Even if you're not the only one, it might not be a big enough market to get the economies of scale required to turn a startup into a mass-market business
Absolutely true.
But it might also be evidence of how early adopters were forgotten in the attempt to appeal to a greater number of users.
I would also add that, imho, the biggest smartwatches problem is that a watch is still a style choice over a fitness utility tool. I'd rather wear my colourful and inexpensive "Swatch" watches or my grandfathers Rolex over my moto 360
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#6Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
Same here. I actually chose Pebble as my "brand" explicitly because it was a tool first, and initially had none of the bullshit fitness focus. I was a tad disappointed when they later started focusing their marketing efforts on fitness crowd, but thought - hey, maybe that's what they need to survive/grow. I guess it wasn't enough.
I'm painfully aware I'm too nerdy a person and don't fit well on the market. Shiny toys that provide little utility just don't appear to me. I guess the only way to get a smartwatch I want is to sit down and finally go through that The Art of Electronics 3rd Edition, and then build one myself.
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#7Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
What productivity thing would you use a smartwatch for?
I got a Pebble as a hackathon prize and tried to use it for a while, but I wasn't able to find a use for it that I didn't already do with my smartphone, which you must take with you anyways if you have a Pebble. So I'm really curious.
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#8Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
What productivity thing would you use a smartwatch for? I got a Pebble as a hackathon prize and tried to use it for a while, but I wasn't able to find a use for it that I didn't already do with my smartphone, which you must take with you anyways if you have a Pebble. So I'm really curious.
No I'm not saying it was the perfect productivity tool before. But, of many uses, the only one I was looking up to, was to perfect productivity in some way. I feel that path was dropped too soon.
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#9Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
I'm in the same boat as you.
I love my Pebbles, but the lack of good basic apps was always a struggle. I use PowerNoter to pull to do lists from Evernote, which is fine -- but not always reliable.
It's a shame to see them go. Everyone I know with Pebbles love them, but they tend to be more technical users who wouldn't get stressed over a few bugs.
All I really want from a smart watch are:
- notifications (of my choosing) - some sort of note / to-do app - multiple timers, alarms, etc - music / media control (even with a companion app) - customizable 'do' button (similar to what IFTTT offers)
Most of these were available in some form, but these should have been released by Pebble themselves as stock apps.
Re: What Hardware startups can learn from Pebble
#10Everybody is claiming that the focus on fitness is what drives smartwatches purchases, and pebble was just too late to it. Is it just me that stopped looking into smartwatches because they became too fitness oriented? I loved the focus on productivity and having a watch becoming slower because it had to track an increasing number of health metrics I couldn't care less of actually killed it for me.
What productivity thing would you use a smartwatch for? I got a Pebble as a hackathon prize and tried to use it for a while, but I wasn't able to find a use for it that I didn't already do with my smartphone, which you must take with you anyways if you have a Pebble. So I'm really curious.
The benefit of the Pebble was that you could get basic information (notifications, notes, time, alarms, etc) without having to reach for your phone. I found it perfect for meetings where I didn't want the client to feel like I was tight on time or rushing things, even if I had to.
It seems silly, but the multiple timers were especially useful for cooking large dinners.
Overall, the Pebble was great because it had fantastic battery life and provided information silently without you having to interrupt a conversation by reaching for a larger device.