This is Pebble Time: Color e-paper and weeklong battery life

By Adam Zeis
last updated

Today Pebble has announced the latest addition to its line of e-paper smartwatches, Pebble Time. Pebble Time is a newly redesigned smartwatch — both outside and in — launching today on Kickstarter, where early birds can get in on the action for less than two bills.

Pebble Time features and always-on, color e-paper display that aims to have the same 5- to 7-day battery life of the original Pebble and Pebble Steel. Pebble Time has a stainless steel bezel, a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass screen and is 20 percent thinner than the original Pebble. The strap features a new quick release, so you can swap out bands at will. Pebble even built in a "smart accessory port" so developers can build sensors and bands that interact directly with the watch.

"With Pebble Time, we're launching completely new hardware and reimagined software while keeping all the things people love about Pebble."

Pebble Time will also have a new version of the Pebble OS in tow, which will organize and display contextual information like weather, news, flights, and reminders chronologically on your watch. In addition to seeing current notifications, you'll be able to read through previous notifications at any time. All current Pebble apps and watch faces will be compatible with Pebble Time as well.

Pebble Time is compatible with Android and iOS devices and is available now for $159 in three colors exclusively on Kickstarter. Shipping is set to begin in May of this year. After the campaign, Pebble Time will sell online and in stores for $199.

Be sure to swing by our Pebble Time forum and let us know what you think!

Read more on Pebble Time at Kickstarter{.cta .large}

Introducing Pebble Time: The Watch That Knows You and Your Daily Routine

Pebble Returns to its Community Roots, Launches Pebble Time on Kickstarter

Palo Alto, CA (February 24, 2015) — Pebble Technology Corp., the smartwatch pioneer and a Kickstarter record holder, is proud to launch its brand new watch, Pebble Time, on the same community-driven platform that helped them introduce smartwatches to the entire world three years ago. Everything about Pebble Time -- from its new technology to the reimagined software interface -- was meticulously designed to mesh perfectly with your life. Starting today, anyone can back Pebble Time on Kickstarter at http://pbl.io/kickstarter.

New Hardware Enables More with Pebble Time Without Sacrificing Battery Life

Pebble Time features a revolutionary new color e-paper display that provides a stellar visual experience, always-on timekeeping and brilliant outdoor visibility. Compared with display technology like LCD or OLED, power consumption is minimized, enabling Pebble Time to achieve an industry-leading battery life of up to 7 days.

Pebble Time introduces a new microphone, allowing you to send voice replies to incoming notifications or compose short voice notes. Using the latest technology, water resistance is maintained, so you can swim, shower and surf with Pebble Time.

Pebble Time is 20% thinner than the original Pebble, with an ergonomic, curved design that's comfortable on any wrist. The lens is crafted from scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass and the bezel is made of stainless steel. The watch band incorporates a quick-release mechanism, making it easier than ever to personalize your watch. Pebble Time also has a smart accessory port, enabling hardware developers to build sensors and smart straps that connect directly to the watch.

Like other Pebble watches, Pebble Time is designed to work perfectly with both iPhone and Android smartphones. Pebble Time is compatible with iPhone 4s and newer phones running the latest version of iOS 8. Pebble Time works with all Android 4.0+ phones including Samsung, HTC, Song, LG, Google, Motorola, Xiaomi and more.

New Timeline Interface Helps You Accomplish More Throughout The Day

Building a modern timepiece requires focus on software as much as hardware. Pebble Time introduces a new version of Pebble operating system (OS) that organizes relevant information like notifications, weather, news, travel, and reminders chronologically. With one click you can see what's coming up next, such as a reminder to pick up your kids or when a movie starts. Pebble Time also helps when you need to catch up on things that happened in the past. You can scroll back to see an email you missed, your step count for the day, or the score from the game last night. Now, instead of opening an app just to see the weather, or to check the market, you can reliably get the details you need at a glance.

Pebble Time is fully compatible with all 6,500+ existing Pebble apps and watchfaces, surfaces information at the moment it's most useful, and enables quick action. Pebble is working with The Weather Channel, ESPN, Jawbone, Evernote, Pandora and others to build unique experiences for the new OS and more partners will be announced soon. As with all Pebble software, Pebble Time is built on an open platform, and introduces many new APIs and tools for developers.

Staying Connected with Pebble's Community

"Pebble was first brought to life by 69,000 backers and people who supported our vision three years ago. We could not think of a better way to share our new watch," said Eric Migicovsky, Pebble CEO. "With Pebble Time, we're launching completely new hardware and reimagined software while keeping all the things people love about Pebble.""With Pebble's first Kickstarter campaign, they successfully introduced smartwatches to the world," said Yancey Strickler, Kickstarter CEO. "We're thrilled Pebble has come back to Kickstarter to share their latest innovation. As enthusiastic members of the Pebble community, all of us at Kickstarter are excited to help them again bring an exciting vision to life."

Pebble Time is available in three colors for $159 exclusively on Kickstarter, with worldwide shipping to backers starting in May. Later this year, Pebble Time will retail for $199 and be available online at getpebble.com and in stores worldwide.

Adam Zeis
Adam Zeis
Editorial Director - High Yield

Getting his start writing about BlackBerry in 2008, Adam is the Editorial Director of High-Yield content at Future. Leading an outstanding team, he oversees many of the articles the publisher produces about subscriptions and services – VPN, TV streaming, and antivirus software. From buying guides and how to watch content, to deal news and in-depth reviews. Adam's work can be seen on numerous Future brands including TechRadar, Tom's Guide, T3, TTR, Android Central, iMore, and Real Homes. 

90 Comments
  • Wow that's a lot of bezel.
  • Newly redesigned? Posted via the Android Central App
  • That is horrible, to be honest it looks like an earlier version of the original pebble not the next version.... what went wrong here
  • Looks like the G Watch with a bigger bezel. Posted via the Android Central App
  • it's Palm Treo vs. iPhone redux.
  • Fugly. Not for me. Posted via Android Central App from a beautiful Ebony backed Original Moto X or the amazing Nexus 10
  • 10:17 am and they are funded. I just bought my Pebble 3 months ago, can't justify buying a new one now.
  • Blah no better time to buy a "old" pebble Posted via the Android Central App
  • Biggest bezel on the smallest device lol. If you have an iPhone though...this is your only low cost option worth getting and thats who pebble is going after...not android wear...the iWatch and i hope they do well. There kickstarter is already past $500,000 mark
  • It's not bad as an every day watch. At $159 it's not a bad price especially with the 1 week battery life. But my 360 will still be my dress watch for sure. Since this is a new os, does this mean no more android wear notifications?
  • No, they'll keep that no doubt. The new version of the OS is to take advantage of the new hardware, like the color display and smart accessory port. Posted via Android Central App
  • Got in as an early bird. Bought. Pebble thru kickstarter last time. Sonce then I've bought a Moto 360. I wear the 360 when it's time to dress nice but as far as function it just doesn't beat the pebble.. I actually prefer buttons to ttouch on a watch. Looking forward to the new one. I'm a function over form guy so I think it looks good enough. Plus with the smart bands upcoming I see a lot of potential with this.
  • I just got one for $159. I think the thinner design, color display, backward compatibility with Pebble apps, and 5-7 day battery life makes it worth it. Now I have to mentally get past the bezel size. Posted via Android Central App
  • I LOVE Pebble! They are the best smartwatch by far! With the announcement of the Pebble time, I'm about to die!
  • Maybe you can do something to relax, like take a bath or something...
  • HAHAHAHAHHAHAAAAA Posted via the Android Central App
  • The renders hide the massive bezel pretty well, but man... I will have to see one in person to judge for sure. Price and promised battery life are good though. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Agreed but since I don't plan to spend an extended amount of time staring at it (and for that price + the battery life) this might be the one for me. Posted via Android Central App
  • i have the original Pebble Kickstarter edition and Pebble Steel, cant justify buying a new one
  • Ditto here, really wish I could justify buying a third, but would get in trouble from my wife. I felt bad enough letting my Kickstarter go when it still worked (with 10-14 day battery life), but the Steel was just so pretty....
  • How well (if at all) do Pebble watches handle Google Now?
    I'm still in the market for a smartwatch, but the daily-charge factor of Google Wear watches is a deal-breaker for me.
  • They are ok. I got the steel at xmas for 150. It looks a bit 1980s calculator watch but isn't bad. I love the size and having physical buttons. Battery life for me is around 4 days w 20 percent left. Very happy with it. I haven't seen anything about Google cards, etc. But it may just be me not keeping up with things. Glad I chose it over the Asus or 360. Posted via the Android Central App
  • to be honest the charging on the Google watches is not that bad they charge in like an hour or 2 and I have the g watch which will last about a day and a half Posted via the Android Central App
  • Just curious, but why is the idea of having to charge a watch at night a deal breaker?
  • That's a fair question, as it's probably fine for a large number of people, but here are reasons why it doesn't work for me:
    1) Travel. I'm not home every night. I don't want to think about another cord that needs to be packed. Not only that, but when I travel for leisure, I use my phone (and if I had a watch, that too) for navigating new cities (maps&GPS), checking tripadvisor for attractions, using urbanspoon for restaurant reviews, etc. It takes a toll on the battery. The last thing I want is for my watch to die at 8pm, if that makes sense.
    2) Inconvenience. I already charge my phone, tablet and laptop on a nightly basis, and even that gets tiresome.
    3) Sleep tracking. Compared to many health trackers, this is a big loss. New Fitbits and other devices are worn when sleeping to record your sleeping patterns.
  • Your #1 seems very understandable.  I know my 360 still has about 40% after 18 hours, so battery life might not be *quite* as bad as you expect, but I could see a scenario where your life style would result in the watch leaving you with a paper weight during the day.  That said, charging from 40% to 100% takes about 15-20 minutes.  That means you could sleep with it on, and just charge it while you're showering in the morning.  As for #2, I would recommend wireless charging, but I understand the "travel" part of #1 would probably make this just as cumbersome, and it's not available for all devices.
  • I like the design. Posted via AC app from my amazing Moto X
  • Good for them for achieving their pledge goal quickly. However I have to say this thing looks like something you'd find in a happy meal. Posted via the Android Central App
  • This is undoubtedly the followup to the original Pebble. If you keep that in mind, this is a better-looking model than that. I have little doubt they'll update the Pebble Steel line as well. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I guess so. This is definitely one of those products I would need to see in person first before deciding to buy, especially considering 99% of us have never seen color e-paper up close. Posted via the Android Central App
  • It's like the game boy color. :) Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'd say that's a good thing....if it was 1998. Still though, nice to see new choices. That is what's needed to advance the market. Posted via the Android Central App
  • This made me laugh. Comment of the day with the happy meal reference! Posted via the Android Central App
  • Do they still include toys with Happy Meals? I haven't stepped foot into a McDonald's for a very long time. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yes. I look at the displays while waiting for my lovely cup of porridge Posted via the Android Central App
  • Still perfectly fine with my Pebble Steel (which looks better than this anyway). Will I be getting this new OS though? Posted via the Android Central App
  • I also have a Pebble Steel, they've said the new OS will be coming to the older devices sometime after the Pebble Time is fully released.
  • I haven't been this excited since Microsoft released Windows 3.1.
  • Oh God. You are old!
  • They just sold out of the $159 ones. Almost at $2 million! Posted via the Android Central App
  • Lame. But I guess another $20 won't break the bank. Posted via Android Central App
  • Wow, did they let the work experience lad design this one? I'll pass. Posted via Android Central App
  • Yes Timex is making a smart watch. Looove it. Hope I can get it at wal mart. LOL! Posted via the Android Central App
  • Simply terrible. This hunk of junk can't compete aesthetically with anything else on the market. Posted via Android Central App
  • I don't think that it is trying to; that is what the steel is for. I think that they are going with function over form. Posted via the Android Central App
  • It's not the most attractive thing, but I don't use my Pebble to impress people. I've been happy enough with mine to be willing to upgrade, and I guess I'm saving $30 over what I'd eventually pay in a store, so... Posted via the Android Central App
  • Hmm... Not that excited, was expecting something truly different but not that much of a difference from 1st gen. But glad that they are considering battery life first than touch screen. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I gotta say, it's not as nice or "serious" looking as my Steel, and the demo of Timeline looks unpleasant. I like to look at what I want to look at, not have to scroll through to find when the last time my music player changed albums to find it. They said it's coming to Steel, I hope I can refuse the update.
  • Red watchband looks good but the watch looks cheap Posted via the Android Central App
  • This looks like a toy watch, that massive double bezel. The steel version is going to be very slick I'll bet, but this is kind of disappointing. It looks better than a 1st gen pebble, but not that much. I suppose it does look more like a watch this time, in a walmart kind of way.
  • Monocolor?
  • Not a fan of this design. It feels more like a step back and less of a forward advancement in the product.
  • What is the screen size and resolution??
  • Make it round, for the love of god make it round!!
  • Kind of ugly Posted via the Android Central App
  • Should had use Marisol Display Posted via the Android Central App
  • I feel like its ugly has potentials but still ugly. Posted via the Android Central App with Oneplus one
  • Just went past $3.4 million pledged in 2 hours. Posted via Android Central App
  • I love how everyone too busy complaining it's ugly and they raised over 3 mil in the first day. LOL. Business Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yes, but just imagine how much more they could've raised with a better looking product. Kudos to them and everyone who is a backer but they are missing out on a lot of business. Posted via the Android Central App
  • According to who? A company that defines the true meaning of crowd funding campaign not one but twice exceeded all expectations and they could do better? Generated 6x times their goal in two hours and they could do better? It's not even in the brick stores yet and online. Lol Posted via the Android Central App
  • Don't get me wrong, I definitely wish it looked nicer. But I'll take a clunky but functional watch with a battery that lasts through the work week over any Android Wear device at this point. Posted via the Android Central App
  • For $159 I picked one up and it will make a great alternative watch to my Moto 360. On some trips recently it has been a real pain getting the chance to charge my Moto 360 so the longer battery life will be great as will the always on display.
  • I got an extra base and connected it via USB to my car charger. Works fine. If I need to leave straight from work to a boy scout den leaders meeting (which often go overtime) and it needs a bump I get an extra 35% on my drive over. Works flawlessly. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'll have to try charging it in the car, wasn't sure how it would do but it would be useful on some occasions. The times I left it behind I was going camping for the weekend.
  • rather than spending money on a second motorola charger base I just bought an external battery (powerbot) that includes wireless charging. then it can work in car, backpacking, etc. did pebble add wireless charging? m.
  • I didn't know Fisher Price made smartwatches. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I was hoping the new Pebble would have:
    1. IP68 (it is IP67)
    2. High resolution, color, e-paper display (it's tiny and apparently low res)
    3. Android Wear (timeline?)
    4. Design comparable to Azus Zen or Sony SW4 (it's designed by Mattel apparently)
    5. Battery life 7 days or more (up to 7 days)
    What they have presented is a disappointment on most of these points, especially 3 and 4.
  • Ugly, I am keeping lg g watch Posted via Android Central App on 1+1
  • Good article on the Pebble Time and the company. http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/24/8091175/pebble-time-watch-wearable-pla... Posted via Android Central App
  • I would never pay more than $120 for that watch...
  • I think it kinda sucks for people who buy the first gen smartwatches. No matter which one it is. Seems like every year they are going to be refreshing smart watches too making your pretty much obsolete in a year. Lame.
  • Just because a new model comes out doesn't automatically mean that there's anything wrong with your old model.  People don't think this way with cars or refrigerators.  Most of the appliances in your house, assuming you've owned them for more than a year, have a "new model" out, but we don't think "damn, now my dishwasher is worthless". We need to stop thinking that way about technology.  If what you've got works, and you're happy with it, then don't worry about the fact that there's a new model out.  And, the truth is, most consumers don't care. If you're always waiting for the next model, you will *always* be waiting.
  • While I'm not loving the double bezel, today's pics of new Pebble look like it's a perfect square. Those pics of the Pebble yesterday made the watch look taller than it was wide, more rectangular. Am I the only one that thinks this way? Final thought, todays Pebble Time is not as terrible as the leaked pics of that watch from yesterday. Posted via the Android Central App
  • After about two monthswith gwatch R, I went back to pebble steel. Now, I don't know what I'll get next, this sure doesn't look like an aesthetic improvement but the new functionality and software looks like the right direction. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Outside of the mic, according to the verge the steel is getting the new software so I'm still happy with my steel I got from my kids at xmas. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yeah and way to thank those backers was to have them get the watch a month or two after it started selling at Best Buy ( at least in my case).
    This all new design is actually less appealing to me than the original. It's still holding strong - battery and performance, so no intentions upgrading. The only reason I was looking forward to this announcement was the easily scratched housing on the original, but now I don't mind it as much. Posted via the AC App
    VZW Moto X DE, N7,Note 4
  • I don't see the dimensions anywhere
  • Say what you want about the looks hell I'm not a big fan of them myself, but Pebble has shown more that people want a cheaper smart watch with long battery life.
  • This is true. Posted via Android Central App via my Sprint Tab 3 LTE.
  • Yup, just like Timex and Armitron. Lots more of those sold than other nicer and more expensive brands. To each their own. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Does this have QI charging? Posted via Android Central App
  • How thick is that thing?
  • 20% thinner than the original Pebble. Posted via Android Central App
  • This looks like a 50$ product. To me. 199$ Lol. On my Nexus4 or 5Posted via the Android Central App
  • I'll buy one when they're $79.........but not for me. I'll buy one for a kid. Posted via the Android Central App
  • Yo dawg! I hear you like bezels, so we put a bezel around your bezel!
  • I see your bezel and raise you another. Posted via the Android Central App
  • I like it. Not trying to be an Android Wear watch, not trying to be an Apple Watch. It is its own thing and an evolution of the Pebble design aesthetic. This a good thing.
  • The design not withstanding -- the problem here is -- Pebble said the original pebble was e-ink, it isn't. They said it uses Bluetooth LE, according to the BT chip specs that chip is not capable of it, though pebble insists they're using BT LE (not sure how). The original Pebble, had a 5 day battery life for me when I first got it -- the Steel one was around the same. As they've updated the firmware rolling out features/fixes, the Steel now constantly disconnects from my phone, the app on the phone drains phone battery, the watch battery is down to 2 1/2 days. I think Pebble seems to be going in the wrong direction and not in-keeping with their ideals(?). They're trying to do too much, and the original product/goal is suffering. I wish them the best, but I doubt that they'll be able to execute what they're promising.
    Another note, some folks don't realize that Kickstarter is not a store. You are not guaranteed anything. Pebble could have done the pre-order the same way they did the Steel -- question is why go Kickstarter route again. They're not cash strapped any more.