Pebble launches three new products; Pebble Core is a runner and hacker dream accessory
Pebble launched a very successful Kickstarter project back in 2013 and became one of the most succesful smartwatches when it passed 1 million units sold back in 2014.
It looks like Pebble is going to easily surpass it's $1 million goal today with the launch of a new Kickstarter campaign for three new products. These new products include the Pebble 2, Pebble Time 2, and the Pebble Core. All are reasonably priced and its easy to see why the campaign is starting up with huge success.
The two new Pebbles add in features we have been waiting to see come in alternative bands, while the Pebble Core is a fitness-focused device designed to let you leave your phone at home when you run. Let's take a closer look at the three products.
Pebble Core
Special Feature
I am a runner and have been on the hunt for the perfect device that would let me track my run with GPS, stream music to my Bluetooth headphones, let my family know if there was an emergency, and collect my voice notes because I develop great ideas when I am out running on the road. The Pebble Core supports all of these functions and it's as if Pebble built the Core just for me. At just $99 for the retail version, early Kickstarter options are available for less, it's going to have me quickly put my Samsung Gear S2 3G up for sale.
The Pebble Core is a small clip that accepts a microSIM card for cellular service, has integrated GPS, has 4GB of internal storage, has voice note capability, and connects to your Pebble so you can control your music or view your GPS running stats. The cellular connectivity supports streaming from Spotify and the ability to send out a SOS text message if you are in trouble.
It works with Runkeeper, Strava, Under Armour Record, MapMyRun, and Google Fit and in typical Pebble fashion, there will be more provider support in the future. The Pebble Core provides up to 5.5 hours of GPS and music so it will even get me through a full marathon. It is scheduled to ship in January 2017 and I can't wait.
Pebble Core is also great for people who don't run as it's essentially a small Android computer. You can use it to track your pets, turn on/off lights, unlock your car, open your garage door, and so much more. Pebble built it as a hackable computer for your keychain.
Pebble Time 2
The successor to the Pebble Time adds something I will be getting if my Kickstarter-backed band every appears and that is an integrated heart-rate monitor. It comes with a color e-paper display that is 50 percent larger than the Pebble Time and a battery life of up to 10 days.
The Pebble Time 2 will retail at $199 and is scheduled to ship in November 2016.
Pebble 2
The Pebble 2 is the true successor to the original Pebble and comes with a high contrast black and white display. It also includes an integrated heart rate monitor and is water resistant to 30 meters.
The Pebble 2 will retail at $129 and is scheduled to ship in September 2016.
I backed the last two Pebble projects on Kickstarter, including the most recent Pebble Time smartwatch. We've seen Pebble regularly update and enhance the Pebble experience so these new products make sense as the company continues to expand in the wearable market. I pledged to purchase a Pebble Core, naturally.