We’re excited to announce two new smartwatches that run open source PebbleOS and are compatible with thousands of your beloved Pebble apps.
- Core 2 Duo has an ultra crisp black and white display, polycarbonate frame, costs $149 and starts shipping in July.
- Core Time 2 has a larger 64-colour display, metal frame, costs $225 and starts shipping in December.
Both are available in limited quantities, with worldwide shipping. Prices are in USD. Pre-ordering is the only way to get one – they will not be sold in stores. Pre-order today at store.rePebble.com!
Why are we making new Pebble-like smartwatches?
Pretty simple – because we want one! No company has made a perfect smartwatch for people like us, so we’re going to make the exact smartwatch we want. Read the full story on my blog, but it comes down to 5 key features:
- Always on e-paper screen
- Long battery life
- Simple and beautiful design
- Physical buttons
- Hackable
No smartwatch on the market since Pebble offers this combination of features…until today!
Core 2 Duo
I think you might recognize this one 😉 It’s almost exactly a Pebble 2, upgraded with modern chips and new tricks. Duo is short for ‘Do-over’.
Similar to Pebble 2, it features
- Ultra crisp 1.26” black and white e-paper display
- Runs 10,000+ Pebble apps and watchfaces
- Lightweight polycarbonate frame in two colour options – White or Black
- Water resistant (targeting IPX8)
- Microphone
- Step and sleep tracking
- Standard 22mm watchstrap
Improvements from Pebble 2
- 30 day battery life (up from 7)
- Nordic nRF52840 BLE chip
- Speaker
- Linear resonance actuator (quieter and stronger than vibrating motor)
- More reliable buttons (up to 30% longer lifetime in testing)
- Barometer and compass sensors
Since this watch will look and feel just like a Pebble 2, you can refamiliarize yourself with it via videos, or reviews. For people interested in hacking on PebbleOS firmware, we’re offering an optional JTAG connector. I recommend buying 2 units if you want to hack, just in case!
Pre-order now for $149 on store.rePebble.com. Starts shipping in July.
Core Time 2
This is my dream watch. It’s everything Pebble Time 2 was going to be and more!
Features:
- 64-colour 1.5” e-paper display. Same display as Pebble Time 2 – much more room for text and details (53% bigger and 88% more pixels)
- Runs 10,000+ Pebble apps and watchfaces
- Metal frame and buttons (Black/White and likely a 3rd colour option as well)
- 30 day battery life (estimate)
- Flat glass lens (less glare and reflections than Pebble Time family curved lens)
- Touch screen
- Heart rate monitor
- Water resistant (targeting IPX8)
- Step and sleep tracking
- Linear resonance actuator (vibrator)
- Microphone and speaker
- Standard 22mm watch strap
The industrial design is closely based on Pebble 2, which I really love. It’s slightly bigger to accommodate the larger display. Both the frame and buttons are made of metal (most likely CNC milled aluminum). More details, including final colour options, will be shared later this year.
Pre-order now for $225 on store.rePebble.com. Starts shipping in December.
Left: Core 2 Duo – Right: Core Time 2
| Core 2 Duo | Core Time 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.26” B/W | 1.5” 64-colour |
| Resolution | 144×168 pixels, 176 DPI | 200×228 pixels, 202 DPI |
| Interaction | 4 buttons | 4 buttons + touchscreen |
| Frame | Polycarbonate | Metal |
| Sensors | 6-axis IMU, compass, barometer | 6-axis IMU, heart rate |
| Starts shipping | July | December |
| Price | $149 | $225 |
| Mic and speaker | ✅ | ✅ |
| Backlight | ✅ | ✅ |
| Linear resonance actuator (vibrator) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Battery life | 30 days | 30 days (est.) |
| Connector | Standard Pebble charger | Standard Pebble charger |
| Water resistance | IPX8 (target) | IPX8 (target) |
| Health features | Step and sleep tracking | Heart rate, step and sleep tracking |
| Strap width | 22mm | 22mm |
| iPhone and Android apps | ✅ | ✅ |
| Open source PebbleOS | ✅ | ✅ |
Software features
Each watch runs open source PebbleOS. This enables all the baseline Pebble features like receiving notifications, timeline, watchfaces, alarms, timers, calendar, music control, basic fitness
44 Comments
erohead
I'll be hanging out here – happy to answer any questions you have!
xrd
I know battery life is impacted but I really want exactly this with GPS.
I want to be able to track my runs.
I love the banglejs because it is hackable but the GPS was very difficult to use. But it is such a fun device to hack on.
solox3
> Core 2 Duo
Is that not one of Intel's trademarks from the past 20 years?
timvdalen
I realized a long time ago that I don't actually want a smartwatch, but this _is_ making me very nostalgic
diggan
Maybe I skimmed too quickly, are there no size/dimensions published? Seems the display size is there, and the strap width, but no other details as far as I can tell.
advisedwang
Is the weight and thickness of the watches announced anywhere?
I_am_tiberius
I guess this is fairly unrelated to repebble
BiteCode_dev
I want it, and yet I know that not only I don't need it, but I likely won't use it that much.
This is really like a cool gadget purchase impulse.
codingmoney
It's great to see PebbleOS making a comeback! Regarding the questions about NFC payments and GPS, these would definitely be valuable features to consider for future models. The demand is clearly there, and it would make the watches more competitive with other smartwatches on the market.
enragedcacti
As a Pebble fan I'm sad to say I'm a little bit disappointed. I love the pebble ethos but I think the design for the Core Time 2 is a step back in terms of style compared to the final Pebble options. I rocked an OG Pebble and it was nerdy in a way that I didn't mind at the time, but now with smartwatches being so common and having so many cheap and feature packed options with multi-day battery life I think the styling matters a lot more. Pebble in particular could have a big advantage here with the reflective display since you can show a lot of personality in the always-on watch face without it being distracting, but I think you would need a more minimal and sleek body to make that a selling feature.
As it is I find the pricing to be a hard sell given how many features you are losing compared even to cheap fitness bands e.g. lots of advanced health tracking, NFC payments. I applaud Eric on self-funding the project and I'm sure the risk and volume questions there are contributors to the cost.
All that said, I may still pick up a duo because there really isn't anything like a Pebble and I would really like this to be a success so that we can see lower prices, more styles, and an even more awesome community at some point in the future.
maufl
Why does the Core 2 Duo not have a heart rate monitor (which I think my Pebble 2 had) and why does the Core Time 2 not have the barometer and compass?
It makes it really difficult for me to decide which to get.
Also, I have a small preference for the design of the original Pebble Time 2 over the Core Time 2 …
apparent
This blog post [1] makes it seem like the cheaper model has a barometer and compass, but the more expensive one does not. Anyone know if that is true?
1: https://ericmigi.com/blog/introducing-two-new-pebbleos-watch…
greetings
Are there any plans for a circular screen? I would love one of these devices, but the screen feels like it may be bulky on my wrist.
wferrell
Who did the product design (cad, picking components, etc) for both of these watches? Is this in house? (shout them out!) or did you work with an outside firm, and if so which one?
apparent
I'm pleased the pricing is so low. I did some math and if they're making 10k of these (not clear if that's each or all together), there's not a ton of money to be made.
Assuming $100 average profit, that's a $2M for 20k watches. Given the work opportunities that the founder and other employees have, that's not a lot of money for them to make in a year, and it comes with significant risk. Basically seems like this is a passion project, for which I am very grateful!
hombre_fatal
Pretty cool.
I'd like to hack around with the HR sensor, so I pre-ordered the Time 2.
What are good resources for looking into building an app for it? I see the OS is hosted here https://github.com/pebble-dev/pebble-firmware But most pebble-related google searches bring up ancient material and I'm not sure what's still relevant.
mouse_
Shouldn't call it Core 2 Duo…
InkCanon
Definitely excited for this! Been wanting a hackable smartwatch for awhile now.
solarkraft
Core 2 Duo is a pretty funny name.
Are you going to sell replacement parts this time? I was immensely disappointed to see the initial watches being pretty repairable in theory, but no parts being sold. It was marketed as a tinkerer‘s device after all.
I’m wearing my Pebble Time Steel right now – and quite like it. Haven’t found anything better. It could use some better activity tracking, but the worst thing about it right now is that it doesn’t really have an iOS app (AltStore is pretty flaky). Any news on that front?
For some reason there just hasn’t been a real spiritual successor, so the revival is greatly appreciated.
rcarmo
Very nice. I love my OG Pebble (even if I now use an Apple Watch), and I dream of the day when I will go back to having an all-week battery…
pnemonic
I am beside myself with excitement. This has been in the back of my mind 8 years, I always believed. I have never pre-ordered anything this quickly in my life.
andrewmutz
The demo image of getting a text message about a party on your watch is an example of everything that is wrong with wearable computing. The last thing I need is more invasive notifications.
its-kostya
As someone who has exclusively worn a pebble since it was crowd funded, I am trilled. I love purpose built devices[0] that don't attempt to do everything. I don't need a watch that does everything, just triage notification and perform time related activities and get out of the way. Pebble has always fit that niche. The fact that I can hack on it and mold it to my needs has been icing.
I have some sincere questions on the design choices. For context, I own a pebble time (everyday wear for triaging notifications) and a polar watch (for exercise tracking). Also part of a cycling community where we swap exercise watches to try out what else is out there. I have found I always sleep in my polycarb pebble time because I forget I am wearing it – it is that unnoticeable.
1) Why limit Core 2 Duo screen to BW? Feels like a step back when the Core Time 2 will have it. Sourcing parts?
2) According to the blog, I understand the Core Time 2 is your (Eric's) dream watch, so not trying to rain on your parade but trying to reason about the audience you're catering to here. The heart rate monitor suggests that it can be used to track physical activity. But… no GPS, metal (heavy) case, and protruding sensor diminish the utility of the sensor. If you've ever run with a light watch, you'll start noticing how quickly metal watches fatigue the skin. I've slept with watches on that track my sleep (optically) and the protruding sensors always causes pressure points – similar to a pebble (heh) in the shoe. Having 30 days battery life, speaker, and better vibration make for a great gadget that doesn't need to be taken off… unless it is not comfortable.
[0]: https://www.polar.com/en/science/whitepapers Purpose built devices are optimized and companies that build they have domain knowledge. You've probably never heard of polar but they publish the science behind their features where as garmin has nice looking gear but has gimmicky features, like "body battery"
zokier
I wonder how good the sleep tracking is without heart monitoring?
nabaraz
All i want is sleep and step tracking. Is this a good option?
officeplant
Honestly getting the Core 2 Duo just because of the funny name. I miss my old Pebble sometimes so it will be a neat tinker toy.
rescbr
As a previous PTS2 backer, I knew I couldn't hesitate. I had to pre-order both watches at once.
But whenever July (and December) comes, I'm very much going to dread the import duty on these things.
nashashmi
I am annoyed at the name, core 2 duo. Could have changed it to core 2 duos, just so it doesn’t confuse people who search for it.
RandomBacon
I liked the old feature of the alarm clock vibrating when the wearer was in the good phase of sleep to wake up in, please make sure the new watches also have that.
I preordered.
AndroidKitKat
Would have been nice to see a model without a microphone. I understand I'm a minoritiy (workplace doesn't allow devices with mics), but being severely hamstrung with smartwatch choices that don't have a microphone is tough. Will still definitely buy one to support the project, and will eagerly watch (heh) for new models!
carlgreene
Does it say the thickness or weight of them anywhere on there? They look awesome! But I really care about how it feels on the wrist
toisanji
I want minimal plastic in my life. its too bad the core 2 duo is made of plastic, otherwise I would buy it. I don't care for color.
dheera
Love it. I would absolutely love if they would consider making the Core Time 2 in a slightly more timeless outer case than this "sport" look.
elliot07
Bought the Core 2 Duo, but I really wanted it to have a HR sensor. May have to buy the other one too.
juujian
These look really appealing. What are the most common use cases for these other than telling the time? Are they gimmicky or actually useful?
starkparker
The "having a baby"/"having a baby bok choi party" attempt to sell me on the larger screen did not work, but it did make me laugh.
nickthegreek
> Core 2 Duo has an ultra crisp black and white display, polycarbonate frame, costs $149 and starts shipping in July.
> Core Time 2 has a larger 64-colour display, metal frame, costs $225 and starts shipping in December
Pretty affordable!
lptptech
please also bring back a version of pebble time round! it was so classy and slim that no round smartwatch since has been able to compete. my wife is still wearing it everyday! i had to learn soldering to replace the battery :)
chc4
I've wanted to play around with a color ePaper watch for a while, including debating buying an old Pebble Time, so this seems like a great excuse to pull the trigger.
For people who have developed apps for them in the past, does everyone just use the embedded JavaScript engine? For maintaining apps that modify the firmware or talk to new peripherals does that require maintaining a fork or is there some module system?
marsknight
I almost bought one and I'd love to.
But then I've read in the Q&A about the tariffs and how that would affect the price at time of shipment.
This is too much uncertainty for me.
I've got no incentive to buy from the US right now, as a European.
I wish you the best of luck, as you definitely put a lot of love into it
jezze
I would buy one but only if I am guaranteed to be able to compile the source code somewhat easily and flash it to the device. Anyone knows if they have made any promises around that?
j45
This watch might be enough reason to jump back to Android.
It’s too bad third party watches are second class citizens in iOS.
blorkusmelorkus
[dead]
ftkftk
I miss my pebbles every day. Can't wait for december!!