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Pebble Time Round review: A prettier design comes with tradeoffs
Earlier this year, Pebble released two new smartwatches: The Time and the Time Steel. Both feature color e-ink displays, an updated "Timeline" interface, support for voice replies, and a new accessory port that promises to increase the watch's functionality over time through third-party "smart straps." But two watches wasn't enough for Pebble. In September, the company unveiled yet another new model: the Pebble Time Round. As its name suggests, it's basically just a circular version of the Time, and will be available in stores starting November 8th for $249. It's also thinner, lighter and the strap comes in both 14mm and 20mm widths, making it ideal for smaller wrists. But with this more fashionable look comes a couple of concessions: it has much shorter battery life than its predecessors and isn't nearly as water-resistant. The Time Round is, without a doubt, the best-looking device the company has ever put out, but those tradeoffs lessen its value considerably.
Pebble Time smartwatch apps are getting voice dictation
If you're a Pebble Time owner and would like to respond to emails or texts without pulling out your phone, we've got good news. Starting today, Android users can employ the Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel to reply to those messages using their voice. The feature is scheduled to arrive on the Pebble Time Round on November 8th. What's more, the wearable company has teamed up with Nuance for the voice-driven tools and the duo is releasing a Dictation API for third-party developers to build apps for both iOS and Android. The functionality is limited to emails and text messages for now, but we'll be interested to see if more voice commands arrive in the future.
Pebble's Time Round smartwatch sacrifices battery life for style
While Pebble has already sold over 95,000 units of its Time and Time Steel smartwatches thanks to its highly successful Kickstarter campaign, it's not done with its 2015 lineup just yet. Today, the company is revealing the $249 Pebble Time Round, which, you guessed it, has a circular watchface. But that's not the only thing that sets the Time Round apart from the rest of Pebble's lineup. It's also thinner, lighter and the strap comes in both 14mm and 20mm widths, making it the slimmest and most lightweight Pebble to-date. Though there are a couple of downsides -- it only has a couple days of battery life and is not nearly as water-resistant as its square cousins -- the Time Round is by far the most elegant smartwatch Pebble has ever made.
Pebble update gives smartwatches standby and 'Quiet Time' modes
Following the arrival of the pricey Time Steel, Pebble is updating its line of smartwatches with some handy new features. First, a new Quiet Time mode makes sure you're not disturbed during an important meeting or dinner date. The feature can be toggled on manually, set for a specific time every day, keep the wearable quiet during events in your calendar or used to only allow calls through. Next, a standby mode automatically switches off Bluetooth when the watch is stationary for 30 minutes or more. Pebble says this addition will use 50 percent less power, and when the wearable senses movement, it turns Bluetooth back on. The stand-by mode is currently a beta feature, but with the new firmware update, you're free to take it for a spin. There's also support for French, German and Spanish for Pebble's watches, too.
The Pebble Time Steel is beautiful, but probably not worth $249
Pebble already had a hit on its hands with the unveiling of the Time, its next-generation color smartwatch. But it was the introduction of the Time Steel a week later that propelled its crowdfunding campaign to the top of the charts, making it the most-funded Kickstarter campaign to date. And it's no wonder: The Steel has a much more premium design, with an all-metal build that comes in silver, black and gold finishes. I've had a chance to play around with the new Time Steel, and while I think it's an improvement over its plastic predecessor, its $249 asking price is still a little too rich for my blood.
Pebble Time update helps you see your watch indoors
Wish your Pebble Time smartwatch was easier to read in low light, or didn't shake so violently that everyone can tell when you have new messages? Your wishes have been answered. Pebble is trotting out a firmware update for the Time (and Time Steel, when it ships) that lets you tweak the intensities of both the backlight and the vibration motor, so you won't have to squint or apologize for noises. You can also go for a larger font size, in case your vision isn't what it used to be.
Pebble Time smartwatch arrives at Best Buy and Target stores
If you passed on Pebble Time's crowdfunding campaign because you wanted to wait for reviews (or just wanted the safety net of a retail purchase), you now have an easy way to pick one up. The color smartwatch is now available at Best Buy and Target stores in the US for the same $199 that you'd pay online. You won't get any special rewards for waiting for the brick-and-mortar release (it's the same black, white or red wristwear that backers received), but you can at least buy one on impulse when you're coming home from work. With that in mind, you might want to wait for the Pebble Time Steel's retail debut if you're not in a rush -- a little comparison shopping wouldn't hurt.
Pebble's Time Steel smartwatch ships to backers at month's end
While Pebble Time on its way to backers and available for pre-order, the company's metal-clad smartwatch is also scheduled to arrive soon. Via Kickstarter update, Pebble announced that production of the Time Steel is set to begin this week with the goal of shipping the gadgets to backers at the end of the month. It'll take some time to send out all of the units, but even the folks at the end of the line should receive tracking info by the end of August. However, due to limited availability, some backers may receive their metal bands in a separate shipment, rather than both a leather and metal band bundled with the watch itself. What's more, when the Time Steel hits retail, the metal bands will be separate purchase, so plan accordingly.
You can now pre-order the Pebble Time smartwatch for $200
If you missed out on nabbing a Pebble Time smartwatch through the company's Kickstarter campaign, now's your chance to order one. The wearable is available for pre-order starting today for $200 through Best Buy in the US and in Pebble's online store if you live outside of the States. While the company says exact shipping dates and in-store sales are still in the works, Best Buy product pages indicate that your Time should arrive by July 20th -- if you order today, of course. The smartchwatch is available in three colors (black, white and red), and if you're looking for a certain hue, all three options are available in both stores. Still on the fence about splurging for one? Read through our full review for all the detailed info.
Pebble Time's iOS app hasn't been approved by Apple yet (update: it's live!)
The iOS faithful who already received their shiny new Pebble Time smartwatches are likely more than a little disappointed. The wearable is shipping to Kickstarter backers, but there's one big problem: the Pebble Time Watch iOS app hasn't been approved by Apple yet. Despite pushing minor bug fixes for approval on May 22nd, and asking that the folks in Cupertino fast-track the request, the software needed to get the gadget up and running isn't in the App Store. Even though a version of the app was approved on May 18th, it can't be released "due to quirks in the App Store submission process and rules."
Pebble Time's regular pre-orders start on June 22nd
If you missed out on Pebble Time's crowdfunding campaign and won't get one of the early units shipping today, you now have a date to mark on your calendar: Pebble has revealed that it's going to start regular pre-orders for the color smartwatch on June 22nd. That'll leave you waiting quite a while before you can even buy the $199 wearable, but you'll at least get a more polished device for your trouble. Pebble is promising an update that lets iPhone users dictate replies to Gmail messages, so you'll have one less reason to pull your handset out of your pocket.
Pebble Time review: an underdog among smartwatches
For two years, Pebble was the smartwatch company to beat. In 2012, it raised over $10 million on Kickstarter for its simple, monochrome e-paper wristwatch, putting itself and the crowdfunding site on the map. But things move quickly in the technology world. Google has since come out with Android Wear, prompting a slew of smartphone companies to suddenly turn into watchmakers. Not to be outdone, Apple joined the fray as well, positing its own wearable as a timepiece premium enough for high-end boutiques. So when Pebble debuted the Time, its second-generation $199 smartwatch, on Kickstarter three months ago, it was facing much stiffer competition. Surprisingly, that too made crowdfunding history, raising more than $20 million in just over a month. Did 78,471 backers make the right decision? I attempt to find out.
Pebble will pay you to design 'smart straps' for its new watch
Unlike many Android Wear watches and Apple's Watch, Pebble Time -- which smashed every Kickstarter record out there -- isn't equipped with a heart-rate monitor and other sensors. The company said that "rather than trying to shove every sensor and doohickey" into the $179 device, it would instead let developers add them via its "smart strap" option. To aid them in that endeavor, Pebble has kicked in $1 million to back the best smart strap related projects. To give you an idea of what's out there, it has revealed a couple of the most interesting concepts so far.
This Windows Phone Pebble app isn't available for long
The Pebble Time may have broke $1 million in Kickstarter pledges at a record-setting pace, but it likely didn't do that with much help from Windows Phone users. The wearable lacks an official first-party app for Redmond's handsets, but Microsoft apparently developed a demo internally to show the smartwatch company how Pebble might work within its ecosystem. You can download that from Windows Central right this moment, but there's a catch -- it'll only be up for 48 hours. Past that? Where else it could appear is up to the internet, really.
Apple Watch vs. the competition: Where does it stand?
Now that Mobile World Congress has come and gone, bringing with it a slew of smartwatch announcements, it's time to learn more about Apple's own highly anticipated entry into the market. We finally have a firm release date and a price -- April 24, starting at $349 for the 38mm Apple Watch Sport. But the field it's entering has changed quite a bit since the Apple Watch was first announced in September. What can the Apple Watch expect to face off against when it hits stores, and how does it ultimately stack up? We've compared some of the top models in the table below, and you can walk through our gallery to learn about even more options on the market.
Daily Roundup: Day 2 of MWC, Pebble Time Steel and more!
Find out what's new during day two of Mobile World Congress, get the details on the new Pebble Time Steel and learn how Microsoft will unite Windows 10 devices. All this and more can be found in today's Daily Roundup.
Pebble's color smartwatch is the most-funded Kickstarter project ever
You knew it was going to happen -- just days after Pebble's Time smartwatch topped the company's previous Kickstarter record, it's now the most-funded Kickstarter project ever at more than $13.3 million. Almost all of the pledge money has gone toward the basic wristwear so far, but it's the unveiling of the higher-end Pebble Time Steel that put the campaign over the top. It's still not shocking that Pebble would do so well given its established fan base and skillful use (or abuse) of crowdfunding for publicity. The real question is whether or not the Time will face any stiff competition in the near future. Barring surprises, it'll likely rule the roost for a long while.
Pebble introduces a premium Steel version of its color smartwatch
It's only been a week since Pebble introduced Pebble Time, its second-generation color smartwatch, and there's already a new version of it up for grabs. Today at Mobile World Congress, the company has just announced Pebble Time Steel, a premium all-metal iteration of the Time. Indeed, the entirety of the Time Steel -- from the bezel to the buttons -- is made out of stainless steel and is available in silver, black and gold finishes. It has the same dimensions as the Time, but is about 1mm thicker. That isn't so bad, especially since the Time Steel apparently has a longer battery life of up to 10 days instead of seven. As if that wasn't luxurious enough, when you buy a Pebble Time Steel, you'll get two straps: a stainless steel band plus a leather one.
Pebble sets a new record, net neutrality passes and other stories you might've missed!
Pebble beats its own record, Motorola confirms what we already knew about the Moto E and Facebook takes a break from the sillier aspects of its site to get serious about mental health. Basically, we've got everything you need to know from this past week in one neat little package. Won't you catch up with us?
Daily Roundup: Net neutrality wins, digital brothels and more!
In today's news, the FCC approved its net neutrality plan, a "digital brothel" lets people have sex through the internet and Pebble smashes its own crowdfunding records. Read about all the top stories in today's Daily Roundup.
