Pebble Smartwatches Make a Comeback with Their Original Name and Features

It’s not just a reboot or revival; Pebble is back for real. In an unexpected turn of events, the original indie smartwatch that initiated the wearable technology trend has reclaimed its name and identity, led by its founder Eric Migicovsky and the Core Devices team. The once-anticipated Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches have now been rebranded as Pebble 2 Duo and Pebble Time 2.

Notably, the asterisk is likely to become part of the official name. After years of uncertainty, especially following a turbulent acquisition journey involving Fitbit and Google, Pebble is returning to its roots. Core Devices successfully reacquired the Pebble trademark, which made the rebranding a logical next step.

According to Migicovsky, “People were going to call these watches Pebbles anyway.” While Core Devices remains the company’s name, the product firmly embraces the Pebble identity, honoring its loyal fanbase and the brand’s commitment to minimalist and durable smartwatches. For those who preordered the Pebble 2 Duo, there are updates on shipping timelines. The bad news is that July shipping is no longer viable; however, Batch 1 is now expected to ship by late August, with Batch 2 following in mid-September.

These delays stem mainly from enhancements in waterproofing, as the team aims to exceed the original IPX8 standard. On the software front, the new Pebble app is approaching public beta for both Android and iOS, based on an open-source infrastructure called libpebble3. The app will support legacy devices, excluding the original Pebble and Pebble Steel, which will come later.

Developers can also utilize the classic Pebble SDK, complete with a new Visual Studio Code extension, enabling the creation of watch faces and apps. As Pebble Time 2 enters engineering validation, the first complete units are currently being prepared. Core Devices has also hinted at a sleeker design and confirmed that PebbleOS is functioning on real hardware.

For fans, merchandise such as “Meet Pebble” T-shirts is available, emphasizing that Pebble isn’t just back; it has always been part of the wearable landscape.