Eric Migicovsky, the founder of the original Pebble smartwatch, has announced plans to develop new Pebble watches under the “RePebble” initiative. On the launch page, he expressed his intent to build a smartwatch inspired by the original Pebble, running an open-source version of PebbleOS. While staying true to Pebble’s original vision, the new watches will feature modern enhancements. Migicovsky and his team aim to gauge interest through signups, which will determine whether the project moves forward. This announcement marks a significant step for fans of the pioneering smartwatch brand.
Pebble’s Legacy and Challenges
Launched in 2012, Pebble was among the first smartwatches to succeed in the smartphone era, selling over two million units and becoming a crowdfunding phenomenon. Despite its early success, Pebble faced significant challenges, including funding issues and stiff competition from the Apple Watch. In 2016, the company ceased making its watches, selling its intellectual property to Fitbit. Later, when Google acquired Fitbit in 2021, some former Pebble employees joined Google and supported the Rebble project, which helped maintain functionality for Pebble devices and ensured compatibility with newer Android versions.
One of the key drivers of the RePebble initiative is the availability of PebbleOS source code, which Google released with contributions from former Pebble engineers and Rebble volunteers. While some proprietary components like Bluetooth stack code are missing, the open-source code provides a foundation for developing Pebble-like watches.
Migicovsky is leveraging this opportunity to address a gap in the market, emphasizing the qualities that made Pebble unique—an always-on display, long battery life, intuitive design, physical buttons, and hackable software. His team is working on hardware that retains these characteristics while introducing some fresh features.
A Streamlined Approach to Smartwatch Development
Migicovsky has learned from the challenges of Pebble’s earlier ventures and plans to adopt a simpler, more sustainable approach. He aims to keep the new company small and focused, avoiding large-scale investment and expansion. This strategy is intended to ensure long-term viability and allow the team to concentrate on crafting quality products. By staying true to Pebble’s minimalist ethos and prioritizing sustainability, Migicovsky envisions a future where Pebble-like gadgets can thrive without compromising their core appeal.
The new Pebble watches are unlikely to gain extensive compatibility with Apple’s ecosystem. Migicovsky noted that Apple’s restrictive practices, including limiting third-party smartwatch functionality, have made integration with iPhones even more challenging. While basic features may still work on iOS, advanced options such as voice dictation for notifications are expected to remain Android-exclusive. Migicovsky has not yet announced a timeline for releasing the new hardware, but his experience, including his recent success with the Beeper messaging app, positions him well to bring the RePebble vision to life.