Pebble, The Original Smartwatch, Is Making A Comeback

The visionary behind the Pebble smartwatch—widely considered the pioneer of the smartwatch revolution upon its release in 2012—is making a comeback to create a true successor. In a recent blog update posted on his personal website, Eric Migicovsky declared, “A small team and I are diving back into the world of hardware to bring Pebble back!”

This announcement coincides with Google’s recent move to open-source the original Pebble smartwatch software, known as PebbleOS. This development enables passionate Pebble users to adapt the software for compatibility with today’s smartphones and systems more easily. A dedicated community already exists to support the ongoing functionality of Pebble smartwatches, and the introduction of an open-source library is expected to enhance the usability of older devices.

Migicovsky elaborated on his vision for the forthcoming smartwatch, stating, “The new device we are developing will essentially retain the same specifications and features as the original Pebble, but with some exciting new elements. It operates on open-source PebbleOS and will be compatible with all existing Pebble apps and watchfaces. If you were a fan of Pebble, this upcoming smartwatch will be perfect for you.”

He further outlined the “core set of features” he envisions for this smartwatch, emphasizing the importance of an always-on, e-paper display that remains visible in sunlight while being less power-hungry than traditional OLED or LCD screens. He also mentioned the inclusion of physical buttons on the device and a straightforward user interface built on “hackable” software. Among his aspirations is the ability for developers to create custom watch faces for users. While these features are part of his wishlist, it is highly likely they will be incorporated into the final product.

Migicovsky refers to the initiative as a “Pebble replacement”—although it remains uncertain whether the original name will be retained. Pebble was sold to Fitbit, which was subsequently acquired by Google. While the software has become open-source, obtaining the rights to the Pebble name might prove to be a challenge. In addition to Google’s interest, another smartwatch company is also branding its watches under the Pebble name.

At this stage, Migicovsky is focusing on finalizing the product specifications and roadmap before revealing purchasing details. He concluded with the assertion that the new smartwatch will closely resemble the original Pebble “in almost every way,” a sentiment likely to resonate with longtime enthusiasts. However, with the smartwatch market evolving since Pebble’s heyday from 2012 to 2016, the landscape now includes a broader array of options, ranging from Casio’s G-Shock DW-H5600 to the Apple Watch Series 10.

In the time since Pebble’s decline, Migicovsky has launched Beeper, a universal messaging app that enables iMessage functionality on Android while mitigating the associated blue bubble/green bubble conflict, all while preserving user privacy. In 2024, Beeper was acquired by Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.