Michal Ždanský The Pebble watch is probably the most successful project on Kickstarter.com, and also one of the things that smartphone owners have long wanted. In a few days, the wheels will roll and the Pebble will go into mass production. Before it gets into the hands of the first lucky owners in September, which might include you, we have some more interesting information about this magical timepiece for you.
Although there is still a week left until the project's funding ends, the authors have decided to end the pre-order option after reaching 85 orders. That has now happened and other interested parties will have to wait perhaps until Christmas for more pieces to become available. Production capacity is limited. The watch will allegedly be assembled overseas (from America's point of view), after all, putting together 000 pieces of the product in the garage where the Pebble authors started would take until the year after next. In terms of funding, it was possible to collect over ten million dollars from the original one hundred thousand that the authors hoped for, which is an absolute record for the server Kickstarter. However, the team will only receive the money after completion through Amazon, which handles credit card payments, which is the only way projects on Kickstarter.com they support
The recent announcement that Bluetooth 2.1 will be replaced by version 4.0, which promises significantly lower power consumption in addition to higher transmission speed, has caused great excitement. However, the authors claim that the savings will not be such a big win, but they will try to use the advantages of the latest specification as much as possible. Thanks to a higher version of the module, it will also be possible to connect wireless sensors for example for heart rate or pace (for cyclists). Bluetooth 4.0 will not be available out of the box, although the module will be included in the watch. It will only appear later with a firmware update, which is done from an iOS or Android device via bluetooth.
As we wrote in our original article, Pebble can handle different types of notifications such as calendar events, email messages, caller ID or SMS. However, in the case of iOS, you will not receive text messages due to the limits of the operating system, which does not offer the provision of this data via bluetooth. Pebble does not use any special APIs, it is based only on what is offered by the various bluetooth profiles that the device (iPhone) supports. For example, AVCTP (Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol) allows control of the iPod application and other third-party music applications, while HSP (Headset Protocol) provides caller information. Interestingly, Pebble will be able to be used simultaneously with hands-free devices.
The transfer of data between the phone and the watch is handled by the special Pebble application for iOS, through which the watch can also be updated and new functions or dials uploaded. The app doesn't need to be active all the time to communicate with the watch. It can run in the background, which according to the author was made possible only by the fifth version of iOS, although multitasking was already introduced in the fourth. In terms of power consumption, connecting via Bluetooth and running an app in the background will reduce your iPhone's battery life by about 8-10 percent.
The most interesting thing will probably be the support of third-party applications, for which Pebble is ready and will provide developers with its API. The developers have already announced the cooperation RunKeeper, a monitoring application for running and other sports activities using GPS. However, the watch will not be connected directly to a third-party app, the developer has to create some kind of widget that can then be controlled in the Pebble app, i.e. on the watch. There will be a digital store where more widgets can be downloaded.
A few other things you should know about Pebble:
- The watch is waterproof, so it will be possible to swim or run with it in heavy rain.
- The eInk display does not have the ability to display grayscale, only black and white.
- The display is not touch-sensitive, the watch is controlled using three buttons on the side.
- If you missed the pre-order option, the watch will be available for purchase in the authors' e-shop at Getpebble.com for $150 (plus $15 international shipping).
Pebble is a unique example of a successful hardware startup, the likes of which are few and far between these days. However, the presentation of new products is rather directed by large companies. The only theoretical threat to the creators of the watch is the possibility that Apple would introduce its own solution, for example, a new generation iPod nano that would work similarly. It's actually surprising that Apple hasn't done anything like this yet.
I ordered them. :-)
Great, if you'd like to collaborate with us on a review, write to mike[zavináč]jablickar.cz and we'll figure something out ;-)
They are ugly :D Otherwise, a great idea, but I won't exchange them for my Doxy :)
I also made it (I've had it "ordered" since the month before last). When it arrives I can send you photos and brief info
“Bluetooth 4.0 will not be available out of the box, although the module will be included in the watch. It will appear later with a firmware update, which is carried out from an iOS or Android device via bluetooth.” – This is not entirely true, they wrote that it was originally supposed to be possible to update the watch to BT4.0, but that in the end they decided to do it with BT4.0 .XNUMX sell directly. Or at least that's how it's written on KS.
From Kickstarter.com: We probably won't enable Bluetooth 4.0 at launch, but we'll turn it on with software at a later date (via a free upgrade)
It is also written there (just to add): Please note that we've been planning this addition to Pebble for a while. We made sure that the Bluetooth module that we're using had a 'drop-in' upgrade option to BT 4.0. We've already placed a large order for the 4.0-enabled module, and it will have no effect on our timeline (hint: that's what Update 9 was 1/2 about!). – Which is exactly what I wrote above. Otherwise, you're right about the SW ;). In this addendum, they write that the SW was originally able to make it work with the original chip, now they just order a BT4.0 enabled chip.
Fine, fine, but.. Why would anyone want to wear something so ugly on their hands? After all, a watch, just like shoes or a jacket, is the main thing that others notice. Especially if you're doing some business somewhere :-(