Pebble Founder Returns with a Nostalgic Twist: Introducing the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 Smartwatches

Pebble Founder Introduces Core Devices: New Smartwatches with Long Battery Life

Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, has announced the launch of two new e-paper smartwatches through his new company, Core Devices. The watches are designed to be affordable and retain the beloved features of the original Pebble line.

Key Features:

• Core 2 Duo: Priced at $149, it comes with a black or white polycarbonate case and a 1.2-inch e-paper display. It offers up to 30 days of battery life, a speaker, linear actuator motor, compass, barometer, and improved buttons.
• Core Time 2: Priced at $229, it features a more advanced 1.5-inch 64-color e-paper display with touch screen capabilities, heart rate monitoring, a built-in speaker, and a metal casing available in various colors.

Availability:

• The Core 2 Duo will start shipping in July.
• The Core Time 2 will begin shipping in December.

Background:

• Pebble was originally launched on Kickstarter in 2012.
• It was sold to Fitbit in 2016.
• Google open-sourced PebbleOS in January 2025, allowing for the development of new hardware using the original software foundation.

Comparison to Apple Watch:

• While not direct competitors, the Core devices offer a more casual and affordable alternative with simpler functionality but longer battery life. The Apple Watch SE starts at around $200 with better iPhone integration, but it's akin to comparing an e-reader to a tablet in terms of design goals.

Impact:

• The return of Pebble-like smartwatches could reignite discussions about third-party watch faces on the Apple Watch.