Latest news with #CoreDevices
Engadget
13-06-2025
- Business
- Engadget
The spiritual sequel to the Pebble smartwatch is on track to ship in July
Eric Migicovsky, the creator of Pebble who's reviving the e-paper smartwatch with a new company called Core Devices, shared that the first new smartwatches are coming next month. The Core 2 Duo watch is on track to ship to pre-order customers in July and the pricier Core Time 2 is still on track to launch this year. The $149 Core 2 Duo is "near mass production" according to Migicovsky, and should land in the hands of all pre-order customers during July or August. If you pre-ordered, you'll be able to confirm your order and shipping details later in June. Migicovsky says he's also aiming to have "working engineering samples" of the $225 Core Time 2 "within the next month." Both the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 carry over the basic functionality of Migicovsky's original Pebble smartwatch, using either black and white or color e-paper displays, with health tracking, access to notifications and the ability to use the back catalog of classic Pebble watch faces and apps. The major difference between the two watches is that the Core Time 2 has a slightly larger screen, a metal frame and a built-in heart rate monitor. Core Devices is also opening up a beta program to test early watch hardware and its new Android and iOS companion app for syncing notifications and watch faces. You can sign-up to join the beta test via a Google Form and interestingly, Migicovsky writes that the new app will also be compatible with older Pebble hardware like the Pebble Time Steel and Round or the Pebble 2.
Phone Arena
13-06-2025
- Business
- Phone Arena
Pebble's retro reboot ships in July, and even your old watch might get something new
Pebble is officially coming back, and the first round of its new smartwatches will begin shipping in July. The Core 2 Duo, part of the Pebble reboot led by original founder Eric Migicovsky, will be sent to early customers next month, with broader shipments scheduled for July and August. In a blog post, Migicovsky shared several updates about the project, which is now operating under the name Core Devices. A small group of 200 customers will be the first to try the Core 2 Duo as part of a beta test. Meanwhile, the company's other upcoming model, the Core 2 Time, is reportedly still on schedule. Alongside the hardware, a new Pebble app is also on the way. It will be available for both iOS and Android and is designed primarily for the new Core 2 watches. However, the app will also work with older Pebble hardware. According to Migicovsky, users with devices like the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time series can use the new app and even join the beta program to help test it. Beta sign-ups are now open, though spots will be limited. Those who pre-ordered the Core 2 Duo will receive an email later this month with shipping details, including any payment clarifications related to tariffs or duties depending on their country. The return of Pebble is notable given how long the brand has been absent from the smartwatch scene. Its original watches built a dedicated following thanks to their simplicity, long battery life, and support for notifications. Many Pebble fans have continued using their devices even after official services were shut down, thanks to community efforts. While today's smartwatch market is dominated by more advanced offerings from Apple, Samsung, and Google, Pebble's lightweight and focused approach may still have a place. The inclusion of support for older devices is a thoughtful gesture, especially for users who have kept their watches running over the years. Personally, I'm interested to see how the Core 2 lineup is received once it hits wrists. For now, this reboot looks like it's staying true to the original Pebble spirit — just with a modern update.
The Verge
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
The new Pebble watch's mobile app will also work with some old Pebble watches
On his personal blog, Eric Migicovsky, the creator of the original Pebble smartwatch, has shared some updates and important milestones about the smartwatches his new company plans to release this year. The Core 2 Duo smartwatch is 'nearing mass production,' according to Migicovsky, and Core Devices is 'on track to ship out all pre-orders in July and August.' Customers who preordered the Core 2 Duo should receive an email later this month to confirm shipping and to pay any regional charges that apply, including duties, tariffs, and taxes. The Core 2 Time – an upgraded version of the Core 2 Duo that adds a touchscreen and sleep and step tracking capabilities – is also still on schedule for a release later this year, and the company is 'aiming to have working engineering samples within the next month.' Migicovsky also says the Core 2 Duo is ready to start beta testing and that 200 units have been manufactured and will be sent out to some early preorder customers over the next few weeks, but only those who opt in and are selected to be testers. The company is seeking volunteers to try the new hardware, software, and mobile apps. The most interesting detail about Core Devices starting its beta test program is that it's not limited to those who preordered the new watches. Migicovsky revealed that the company's new iOS and Android mobile apps are also designed to work with older smartwatches, including the Pebble Time (both the Steel and Round versions) and the Pebble 2. If you still have any of those models on hand, you're encouraged to join the beta program to put the new app through its paces. Even if you don't have any interest in testing Core Devices' new hardware or software, this is great news for fans of the original Pebble watches who have had to rely on sideloading old versions of the company's mobile app to keep them running after Fitbit ended support back in 2018.
Digital Trends
06-05-2025
- Digital Trends
I've changed my mind about the Core 2 Duo smartwatch and Pebble's return
Table of Contents Table of Contents What changed? It's now a real product We don't need it, but we also do need it Will I actually wear it? What have I done? I've gone back on something I wrote with a fire in my belly and poison on my tongue about the new Pebble smartwatch, the Core Devices Core 2 Duo. I've not really reversed my position on it, but have been convinced enough to place a pre-order, which back in March seemed like a ridiculous thing to do. Here's what changed my mind about the Core 2 Duo. What changed? My overall opinion of the basic new Pebble, the Core 2 Duo, hasn't altered. Practically every other smartwatch you can buy today will be more technically impressive, more useful, more feature packed, better looking, and more durable. It's why I don't feel like a fraud saying all those awful things about it before, in light of what I've now gone and done, because I know I'm still right. Recommended Videos Yet, I've put down $150 (and whatever horrendous import charges I'll face upon delivery) for a Core 2 Duo. I am too late to get a model in the first wave, and will have to wait until July for delivery. What has convinced me it's worth all the money and wait? A big part of it was seeing the smartwatch in action for the first time. Pebble and Core Devices founder Eric Migicovsky demonstrated an early prototype of the Core 2 Duo during the first edition of his Tick Talk podcast on YouTube recently, and although it was hardly an extensive, in-depth look, it was enough to see the smartwatch is not only real, but a true work in progress. Before this, all we had was a few rendered images, a spec sheet, and Migivosky's word. It wasn't enough to convince me to buy. It's now a real product Seeing the Core 2 Duo (all taped up because it's a development mule) on Migicovsky's wrist made the project come alive. I didn't doubt it was real before, but I'm not enough of a Pebble devotee to throw $150 in his direction because of a few rendered images and a promise to deliver. I was also sold by the the way the Core 2 Duo was presented. Migicovsky chose to demo it despite the smartwatch still being a work in progress, which shows considerable confidence, but he was still honest and open about the limitations. He did so sat at a desk in a homemade studio, and I appreciated the friendly presentation a lot. No-one was screaming how it's the best thing ever, and nobody was pompously 'selling' its functionality (or general lack-of) like it would change the world either. It's a simple piece of tech presented simply, and I really liked the conversational, yet still passionate approach. Other companies would have made a lot more fuss about showing their product off, even in the same, far-from-sale-ready state as Migicovsky's Core 2 Duo. Seeing it work, on a wrist, and spoken about honestly (and free from a marketing team's influence) meant it took on its own life. It became a product I wanted to support. We don't need it, but we also do need it Support is a key word in my personal decision to pre-order the Core 2 Duo. I absolutely stand by what I said about it dripping in mostly misplaced nostalgia, particularly in any appeal from the design. I owned an original Pebble so I know it's not going to change my life. If I want to avoid notifications or not worry about battery life, I've got plenty of non-smart watches waiting to be worn. We don't need it at all, because far better examples of high quality wrist wear exist, connected or otherwise. Yet, what a shame it would be if small brands — even ones with valuable name recognition like Pebble and Migicovsky — couldn't produce and sell passion projects like the Core 2 Duo. For every massive brand selling exciting new tech, there really should be smaller, less well-known ones doing the same. But without our support, they won't get very far. Not all of them deserve our attention, and flashy presentations don't guarantee a good product (yes, Humane, I'm talking about you), but there does come a time when you feel confident enough to spend your hard-earned on something new. It does look like the Core 2 Duo is really real, on its way very soon, with the expected look and functionality. It's not that I seriously doubted any of this before. I didn't give it any consideration at all, because a few digital images and a promise or two about the future would never encourage me to do so. It all felt as empty as buying an NFT. Will I actually wear it? If I've pre-ordered the Core 2 Duo to support the project and what it means for wearable tech, does that mean I haven't bought it to wear? It's definitely not the driving force behind my purchase. The combination of my Apple Watch Series 10, Oura Ring 4, and Ray-Ban Meta smartglasses arguably do everything I want from wearable tech today. I'll definitely give it a try when it arrives, and who knows, perhaps I'll love the retro software and surely-its-made-for-kids style? Either way, I've re-examined my position on the Core 2 Duo and I'm very pleased to have done so, even though it's not for the reasons some others championed it.
Android Authority
05-05-2025
- Business
- Android Authority
First Core 2 Duo smartwatch demo is here, with updates on shipping and software
TL;DR Eric Migicovsky demoed the Core 2 Duo smartwatch in the first episode of his new podcast. The watch is still being tested, but PebbleOS is running with watch faces and Bluetooth. US buyers could face a small price hike due to tariffs, but July shipping is still the goal. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky posted a new video from his garage last week. The video showed off an early version of the Core 2 Duo smartwatch and discussed the project's current status. It gave us our best look at the upcoming smartwatch yet, and Migicovsky also answered fan questions about the future. In the first episode of a new podcast called Tick Talk with Eric Migicovsky, he gave a quick demo of the device, which is still in the testing phase. The unit he showed on camera isn't even sealed up — it's held together with tape and can't actually tell the time yet — but it's already running PebbleOS. Despite being a work-in-progress, features like Bluetooth and watch face support are in place, with some pretty cool examples demonstrated. The strap and charging dongle that will ship with the watch were also shown. According to Migicovsky, the plan is still to start shipping Core 2 Duos in July, but he warned that new US tariffs on China could cause some headaches for buyers in the States. He said Core Devices will try to minimize the extra costs — currently estimated to be between $10 and $25 per watch — by bulk importing the units. Customers outside the US shouldn't be affected, as those orders will ship straight from China. Migicovsky answered several questions from fans, including ones about new features. He's thinking about adding complications, which are little widgets like weather or calendar data that show on the main watch face. He's also keen on better integration with Beeper so you can see chat history, and deeper support for voice-based AI agents like Bobby, which is a Gemini-based platform he has on his Pebble watch. He goes on to mention small tweaks he'd like to see, such as making the backlight less harsh at night and increasing the font size for the clock on the notification screen. While the focus right now is getting Core 2 Duo out the door, Migicovsky hinted at broader plans. Core Devices is working on making PebbleOS easier to port to different hardware. Once the groundwork is laid, creating new hardware running PebbleOS should be easier, whether from Core Devices or others. As always, the Pebble spirit seems to be very much alive. 'I love having a device in my life that just makes me feel happy,' he said, showing off a watch face on his current Pebble with an octopus holding an ice cream cone. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
