The Return of Pebble: Iconic Branding Reclaimed for Upcoming Smartwatches
In a significant development for fans of e-paper smartwatches, Eric Migicovsky, the original founder of Pebble, has announced that his new company, Core Devices, has successfully reacquired the ‘Pebble’ trademark. This pivotal move means the highly anticipated smartwatches, previously known as ‘Core 2 Duo’ and ‘Core Time 2’, will now officially bear the beloved ‘Pebble’ branding, being renamed the ‘Pebble 2 Duo’ and ‘Pebble Time 2*’, respectively.
Migicovsky shared the exciting news in a recent blog post, confirming that while the corporate entity will remain Core Devices, the watches themselves will proudly display the iconic name. The asterisk in “Pebble Time 2*” serves as a deliberate homage to the original 2016 model that was famously cancelled before its release.
This rebranding is seen by many analysts as a crucial step, providing the nostalgic appeal that could be exactly what the smartwatch market needs. The return of the Pebble name is expected to resonate deeply with a loyal user base and attract new interest in its unique e-paper technology.
Production Timelines and Delays
The blog post also provided vital updates on the production and shipping timelines for the new devices. The initial July shipping window for the Pebble 2 Duo has unfortunately been missed. The team now estimates that the first batch of units will begin shipping at the end of August, with a second batch following in mid-September.
This delay is attributed to Core Devices’ commitment to enhancing the watch’s waterproof rating beyond the initial IPX8 target. This improvement process has been complicated by the inclusion of a speaker in the new model, requiring additional engineering efforts to ensure robust water resistance.
Development Progress and User Feedback
Despite the slight delay, significant progress has been made on the 2 Duo. Over 100 units have already been dispatched to ‘alpha’ testers, whose feedback has been instrumental in identifying and resolving a software bug that caused an audible clicking sound from the speaker.
The higher-end Time 2* is also advancing well, having entered the Engineering Verification Test (EVT) phase, indicating it’s moving closer to mass production.
On the software front, a new companion mobile application is currently in closed beta testing, and the underlying open-source library has been released to developers, fostering community involvement and future innovations.
With units still limited, a full review of the relaunched Pebble smartwatches remains elusive for now. However, the successful recovery of the original name by Core Devices marks another significant and positive milestone in what has become one of the most compelling wearable technology stories of the year. Enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the devices, with hopes for no further shipping delays.
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