Pebble Production: February Update • Hacker News Board

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#61

Post by 0127 » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 4:47 PM UTC

open-meteo wrote: post #20

lopis wrote: post #15

> Many old Pebble apps/faces use weather APIs that no longer work (Yahoo, OpenWeather). The Pebble mobile app now catches these network requests and returns data from Open-Meteo - keeping old watchfaces working! That's some sweet quality of life fixes!

And we are very determined to keep the Open-Meteo weather API open-access indefinitely and don’t share the same fate as many closed-source APIs like Yahoo or OpenWeatherMap.

Somehow I've managed to avoid learning about Open-Meteo until now, this is really awesome!

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#62

Post by bronlund » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 4:52 PM UTC

desireco42 wrote: post #24

bronlund wrote: post #3

When the first Pebble was released, and I got a couple of those, it was unique and cool as hell. This time around, you can get a programmable smartwatch from China for a fraction of the price looking way cooler. Edit: https://diyusthad.com/2021/04/top-5-open-source-smartwatch.h...

I started using Amazfit years ago, love it and it delivers. I had Basis first and this is the most loved watch from me, then Pebble.

Personally. If I were to use $100+ on a hackable smartwatch, I would much rather go for a Sensor Watch Pro than a Pebble :)

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#63

Post by bronlund » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:00 PM UTC

micromacrofoot wrote: post #22

bronlund wrote: post #3

When the first Pebble was released, and I got a couple of those, it was unique and cool as hell. This time around, you can get a programmable smartwatch from China for a fraction of the price looking way cooler. Edit: https://diyusthad.com/2021/04/top-5-open-source-smartwatch.h...

ok buy one of those then

I have. The main reason though, for me not buying a Pebble, is less about the watch and more about Eric. It seems that his whole modus operandi, is selling out his customers.

Pebble hadn't been in this mess in the first place, if it wasn't for him. Going back to him a second time, is just unresponsible in my opinion.

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#64

Post by Arelius » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:15 PM UTC

jsheard wrote: post #59

billfor wrote: post #58

Can this do NFC/tap to pay? That's all I use my smartwatch for....

It can't, and I wouldn't hold my breath for such a small company being able to navigate compliance for contactless payments. The Pebble does use standard watch straps though, so you could get one of the ones with a programmable payment chip embedded inside. If that's all you use your smartwatch for, you may as well skip the watch and get a payment bracelet or ring though. e.g. https://www.curve.com/wearables/

Except not in the USA. To bad the rings looks nice.

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#65

Post by micromacrofoot » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:15 PM UTC

bronlund wrote: post #63

micromacrofoot wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ok buy one of those then

I have. The main reason though, for me not buying a Pebble, is less about the watch and more about Eric. It seems that his whole modus operandi, is selling out his customers. Pebble hadn't been in this mess in the first place, if it wasn't for him. Going back to him a second time, is just unresponsible in my opinion.

Pebble also wouldn't have existed if it wasn't for him (either time) so I suppose it's a wash

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#66

Post by cptskippy » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:25 PM UTC

saidinesh5 wrote: post #26

> Also, don’t expose it to hot water (this could weaken the waterproof seals), or high pressure water. It’s not invincible. Aahhh. Finally the mystery of how my old pebble died is solved. Hopefully . One fine morning, the display came off. It was supposed to be waterproof and there was no puffed up battery either.

Glue and seals weaken with exposure to temperature extremes in both directions. I found this out the hard way too.

I spent all day out in below freezing temps, when I got back to my hotel room and my smartband (not pebble) started to warm up, the screen just fell off. Everything still worked and the screen was lit up. Fortunately I discovered it before I ripped the screen off on something. When I got home I was able to glue the screen back on and it's been operating just fine, of course it's probably no longer waterproof.

Hoping this thing holds out until I get my Pebble.

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#67

Post by stavros » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:25 PM UTC

I'm really excited about the Index. I don't love that it's disposable, but I really like the UX. I couldn't wait, so I made my own (obviously not a ring, but airtag-sized), and it's amazing. I have it in my pocket, I take it out, speak a little note, and it goes off to my AI assistant for whatever needs doing.

That and the AI assistant have really changed how I operate day to day. I'm super excited about the Index, and I hope it has the same capability my app has (mostly, sending a webhook with the transcription with exponential backoff, so I'm sure all my notes will eventually be sent).

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#68

Post by wan23 » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:32 PM UTC

simlevesque wrote: post #50

wan23 wrote: post #48

I pre-ordered a round one which is going to be my third Pebble and I'm excited for it, but there is some really good competition nowadays. Casio makes a watch with similar display technology, solar power so the battery life is basically infinite (it doesn't even have a way to charge with a wire) and bluetooth time sync to your phone. It's not a smart watch so it doesn't have apps or notifications or customizable watc…

> if all you need is time-related functions like stop watch, timer, multiple time zones etc. But if you just need that, almost any watch will do. The Pebble is clearly not made for those people.

I think it's made for those people as well as people who want a hackable customizable wearable.

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#69

Post by Forgeties79 » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:37 PM UTC

mikepurvis wrote: post #51

beratbozkurt0 wrote: post #7

I'm curious, what sets it apart from other watches? The design look nice

I never had an original Pebble but was always a curious observer. To me, the attraction is a device that is clearly complementing a modern smartphone rather than trying to be a second phone on my wrist. I know lots of Apple Watches are sold sans-eSIM, and I get the appeal in very specific situations like a water park where I have to leave my phone in the locker but I can still wear a watch... the watch is now my gate…

> To me, the attraction is a device that is clearly complementing a modern smartphone rather than trying to be a second phone on my wrist.

That’s exactly why I have it. It’s hard to get distracted by it as yet another screen in my life. Plus since I use an iPhone it currently doesn’t do text or calls, it just alerts me if I have a call coming (and calendar alerts). Basically I call it my “advanced beeper.”

Re: Pebble Production: February Update

#70

Post by raffael_de » Thu, Feb 19, 2026, 5:38 PM UTC

ge96 wrote: post #55

I've never been a watch, necklace, ring guy. But one time when my phone was destroyed, I wished I had a no-screen typing interface somehow so I could call an Uber and get home... alas it was not meant to be, had to figure out how to use the bus.

it is possible to call a Uber with a pebble watch?