Pebble's new lineup

[cbrunny]

Looks like some improvements, but mostly catch up stuff. with the exception of the Pebble Core device which I am not totally sure I understand the utility of. There are two versions of it apparently. A 'running' version and a 'Hacker' version. The running version seems like it is geared towards runners. gps, 3g, and can stream music from spotify. But no screens or anything. Can sync to fitness apps like Strava apparently. The hacker version seems like its the same but has a few extra buttons on it and can be programmed. Neither are wifi hotspots though, as far as I know.

What do you guys think? Pebble still seems to be putting out great products. Surprised they're kickstarting again though.

 

[tsupersonic]

They look ok and like you said, it's a "me too" attempt.

I backed them on Kickstarter for Pebble Time, and love the device. HOWEVER, I will NEVER back them again on Kickstarter. After just a couple months of release, the price dropped dramatically ($99 new at stores vs. $189 on Kickstarter). I will get the PT2 at a retail store, but will wait for prices to come down.

Hell, the Pebble Time Steel Kickstarter backers got it the worst - PTS's were available in retail stores before the backers got theirs. They make good products, but they just absolutely suck at logistics.

 

[vi edit]

I sorta understand where they are coming from with the core. But it's just not quite hitting the mark. If I'm using it for GPS tracking...I want some real time output on it for times/pace/mile marker. Ect. And if I'm cheaping out on a $70 fitblock...I'm not going to pay the additional monthly fee for a 2nd sim card to stream spotify to it. I want a microSD in there to load my own stuff to it instead.

Omitting those...I sort of get the point. It's a GPS enabled, music box that I can track my runs with. It's small, durable, and cheap. But it doesn't really do what I need it to do and in some ways (3G data) does more than it needs to.

 

[Red Storm]

The Time 2 is the first Pebble that doesn't look terrible. I also don't get why Kickstarter is allowing them to list on their site, they are an established company with multiple product releases, they don't need any kickstarting.

 

[Commodus]

They're probably going to crowdfund so long as their sales aren't completely cushy. It gives them a guaranteed customer base and convinces retailers that they're worth carrying.

The Pebble Core is basically a cellular iPod shuffle. Ever wanted to go running while listening to any song you wanted? Get a Core. I'm half-surprised Apple hasn't released an iPod shuffle of its own that taps into Apple Music... just give it the headphones with a built-in mic and you're set.

As for the rest? The most meaningful update is the Time 2, which seems more like the watch Pebble enthusiasts were looking for between the fitness components and larger display. The Pebble 2 is a healthy upgrade, but it still looks fairly cheap (just nicer than the original). Apple and Samsung won't be sweating bullets, but it's still solid stuff.

 

[sweenish]

Apple hasn't been in the market disruption game for a few years.

If Pebble demonstrates that a big enough market is there, Apple will show up.

 

[nickbits]

Looks like some improvements, but mostly catch up stuff. with the exception of the Pebble Core device which I am not totally sure I understand the utility of.

The core is so you don't need to take your phone with you running. Considering how large phones are now, I can see the appeal. I don't like having to take mine just for Spotify.

 

[vi edit]

I just think with the core it's too prohibitive on the music side (you need another data plan) and too sparse on the health side (no real-time data display) that it doesn't hit any one real niche well. I'd rather go with a real watch based wearable at that point.

 

[luv2liv]

im still using my Pebble, 2 years and still working great!
i dont need heart rate monitor and i doubt others too unless you are an athlete. wish they made the battery lasts 1 month or make it thinner but still lasts 7 days without that HRM.

 

[Midwayman]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-2-time-2-and-core-an-entirely-new-3g-ultra

For the lazy....

Their designs still scream 'calculator wristwatch' to me. Less cringy than the last version, but that's a pretty low bar.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Considering how large phones are now, I can see the appeal.

A second cheap and small burner smartphone just for running is a more economical option. That is what I did- $30 phone that I pop my ATT sim in when I run (so no monthly fee).

 

[gorcorps]

The Time 2 looks intriguing, but the bezels are still a bit large for my taste. I'd have to see it in person first to really know how it looks though.

 

[cbrunny]

I sorta understand where they are coming from with the core. But it's just not quite hitting the mark. If I'm using it for GPS tracking...I want some real time output on it for times/pace/mile marker. Ect. And if I'm cheaping out on a $70 fitblock...I'm not going to pay the additional monthly fee for a 2nd sim card to stream spotify to it. I want a microSD in there to load my own stuff to it instead.

Omitting those...I sort of get the point. It's a GPS enabled, music box that I can track my runs with. It's small, durable, and cheap. But it doesn't really do what I need it to do and in some ways (3G data) does more than it needs to.

This is basically my opinion on the core too, but it is interesting that i care about different features than you do. haha. I'm guessing the next gen of this product will have a lot more to offer.

Actually it has me wondering if they're trying to position themselves to be sold. I can see someone like Garmin really wanting some of these devices, core specifically.

 

[cbrunny]

The core is so you don't need to take your phone with you running. Considering how large phones are now, I can see the appeal. I don't like having to take mine just for Spotify.

right, but if I want to use, say, google play music, I can't. I don't see locking in spotify as a feature. Might open up down the road but I'd have to wait for that.

My phone is huge and I hate it. This product caught my eye for that reason. But I also have a gps watch that I use for fitness b/c my gps on my phone is turbo-hella-terribad.

 

[ControlD]

I think the Time 2 could very well be the watch that finally gets me to upgrade away from my original Pebble. I don't really need to upgrade as the one I have works fine, but this is the first watch makes me want to upgrade. I am not planning on joining the KS however, I will just wait until it hits the retail channels for a bit. I am secretly hoping Garmin releases something nicer in the meantime so I can combine my running watch with my smart watch. Giving up 7 day (at least) time between charges would be hard though and I imagine a GPS+Smart Watch is going to need charged every night.

I'm not really interested in the Core at all. Decent enough concept but I don't run with any electronics other than a GPS watch these days.

 

[cbrunny]

I think the Time 2 could very well be the watch that finally gets me to upgrade away from my original Pebble. I don't really need to upgrade as the one I have works fine, but this is the first watch makes me want to upgrade. I am not planning on joining the KS however, I will just wait until it hits the retail channels for a bit. I am secretly hoping Garmin releases something nicer in the meantime so I can combine my running watch with my smart watch. Giving up 7 day (at least) time between charges would be hard though and I imagine a GPS+Smart Watch is going to need charged every night.

I'm not really interested in the Core at all. Decent enough concept but I don't run with any electronics other than a GPS watch these days.

I have a Garmin Fenix 3 HR which I absolutely love and adore. It is the greatest watch ever. I get ~7 days on a charge using the GPS every day - it only is on when you tell it to be on to conserve battery. Pretty slick. Garmin just released the 735XT which also looks really good, though build quality is a bit of a concern by the look of it relative to the Fenix 3. I strongly recommend taking a look through the Garmin offerings. They're impressive. Vivoactive HR is pretty ugly but has an impressive suite of features for the price point too.

 

[gorcorps]

I have a Garmin Fenix 3 HR which I absolutely love and adore. It is the greatest watch ever. I get ~7 days on a charge using the GPS every day - it only is on when you tell it to be on to conserve battery. Pretty slick. Garmin just released the 735XT which also looks really good, though build quality is a bit of a concern by the look of it relative to the Fenix 3. I strongly recommend taking a look through the Garmin offerings. They're impressive. Vivoactive HR is pretty ugly but has an impressive suite of features for the price point too.

Have you had any problems with it? I have the vivosmart and am glad I got it cheap as based on my experience I won't touch Garmin again. A lot of it was app related too which is why I'm not to keen on using any that uses the Garmin Connect software.

 

[ControlD]

I have a Garmin Fenix 3 HR which I absolutely love and adore. It is the greatest watch ever. I get ~7 days on a charge using the GPS every day - it only is on when you tell it to be on to conserve battery. Pretty slick. Garmin just released the 735XT which also looks really good, though build quality is a bit of a concern by the look of it relative to the Fenix 3. I strongly recommend taking a look through the Garmin offerings. They're impressive. Vivoactive HR is pretty ugly but has an impressive suite of features for the price point too.

That sounds awesome. I'll check those out!

How well do the smart watch portions of the Fenix work? Garmin shows VERY little information about that portion of the watch on their website which always made me a bit leery.

 

[ControlD]

Have you had any problems with it? I have the vivosmart and am glad I got it cheap as based on my experience I won't touch Garmin again. A lot of it was app related too which is why I'm not to keen on using any that uses the Garmin Connect software.

I use Garmin Connect with my Forerunner. It seems to work OK, although I do have to manually initialize my syncs for the most part. I figure that is more due to my not carrying my phone while I run though. The bluetooth radio is only on when the GPS is active (with my watch) so usually when I get back home the watch is back in low power mode.

 

[cbrunny]

Have you had any problems with it? I have the vivosmart and am glad I got it cheap as based on my experience I won't touch Garmin again. A lot of it was app related too which is why I'm not to keen on using any that uses the Garmin Connect software.

I have one dead pixel that just showed up. The screen is still scratch and blemish free and so is the frame. The band is bad but it can be swapped too.

Garmin Connect is far from perfect but it still has everything you need. It is not intuitive and takes some getting used to but after using it for a few months and customizing the layout it is great. No sync issues at all for me. I also have just set up the Strava integration and that allows automatic uploads from connect to strava. Strava processes the data on its own and segments and all other features work perfectly as if you tracked them on the strava app. You also get the benefit of additional sensors on the Garmin syncing to strava. A++

as for smartwatch features, there are no apps like there are on android wear but if all you need is text messages, music Control, weather, email and calendar notifications, call notifications and basic stuff like that, you'll be happy here I think. The smartwatch features come 2nd for sure but that's more to do with the features that come first than a reflection of their quality.

2hr charge typically lasts around 7 days.

Custom watch faces are good enough.

Activity tracking is excellent. On par with fitbit if not slightly more accurate due to gps during activities.

Super recommend.

 

[Commodus]

The Core is an interim step, when you think about it.

The ultimate goal is really to have a cellular-connected smartwatch that can stream music all on its own (we have the cellular watches, just not the streaming music part) -- you can go running with just a wearable but still have a decent amount of control over what you're playing.

And like it or not, Apple might be the one to do it... a WSJ leak pointed to cellular data in the next Apple Watch, and you just know it'll give you some form of Apple Music streaming if that happens. That and, let's face it, Apple is currently the only one that stands a snowball's chance here, since it's estimated to ship more smartwatches than the rest of the top 5 manufacturers combined.

 

[vi edit]

The ultimate goal is really to have a cellular-connected smartwatch that can stream music all on its own (we have the cellular watches, just not the streaming music part) -- you can go running with just a wearable but still have a decent amount of control over what you're playing.

Meh. Really couldn't care less about being able to stream directly from the watch/device. Just give it a couple gig of ram and let me cache music to the device and pull from the cache. I don't want another sim card to manage and deal with. 3G just draws unneeded battery life keeping that radio running on a device that is already struggling to maintain battery space and life due to space constraints.

 

[Red Storm]

Yeah I'm not understanding this ultimate goal of a cellular connected smartwatch. Why do I want to pay for two cellular connections? OEMs and carriers will want to push it because streaming means money for them.

 

[ControlD]

Yeah I'm not understanding this ultimate goal of a cellular connected smartwatch. Why do I want to pay for two cellular connections? OEMs and carriers will want to push it because streaming means money for them.

This is pretty much my take on it as well. If I have to pay for another cell service, they can kindly keep the cellular portion away from my smart watch.