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Pal smart strap turns your Pebble Time into a fitness tracker
The Pebble Time smartwatch (and Steel variant) launched with the promise of extended functionality via "smartstraps" connected to the magnetic charging port. So far, however, there are very few bands out there, and the extra functionality is limited to NFC payments, wireless charging and mid-air hand gestures. A company called Powerstrap wants to make something a bit more useful with the Pal, a smartstrap that effectively turns the Pebble Time into a sports tracker.
Pebble watches are now better fitness trackers
After years of relying on third-party activity trackers, Pebble finally introduced its own homegrown version last December. Simply called Pebble Health, the native fitness app tracks your steps and sleep patterns and has a built-in coach to keep you motivated. Today, however, it's getting a massive update to give you an even more holistic view of your overall health and achievements.
Pebble's Time Steel smartwatch gets a £60 price cut in the UK
When were first introduced to the Pebble Time Steel, we loved the way it looked but weren't sure whether it justified its £200 price tag. The company has stuck to its guns and kept with its pricing strategy for more than 8 months, bit now it's joining its wearable-making rivals in slashing the cost of its premium smartwatch, reducing it by £60 to £140.
Pebble brings text replies to iOS users on Verizon
Back in November, Pebble unveiled a Text Reply feature for iOS, finally letting iPhone users respond to incoming text messages on their Pebble smartwatch with a voice note or a canned text response (Custom messages were enabled in February). Unfortunately, the feature was only available for those on AT&T. Now, however, iPhone users on Verizon can enjoy the same benefit as well, thanks to a new Version 3.11 update. The Text Reply feature is available for all Pebble watches, though voice reply is restricted to just the Time models.
Pebble cuts 25 percent of its staff (update: clarification)
It's not easy being an indie smartwatch maker in a sea of tech giants. Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky has revealed to Tech Insider that his company is cutting 40 jobs, or 25 percent of its workforce, this week. Simply put, the "money is pretty tight" -- while Pebble has raised $26 million over the past eight months, the investment cash isn't as forthcoming as it has been in the past. Migicovsky is quick to stress that Pebble is in it "for the long haul," though, and has an idea of where wearable tech is going within 5 to 10 years.
Pebble drops price of Time and Time Round by $50
If you've been holding out on getting your very own Pebble Time, congratulations, because your patience has been rewarded. Today, the company is dropping the price of two of its Time smartwatches -- both the Time and the Time Round -- by $50, which means they're both now $149.99 and $199.99 respectively (the Time Steel remains the same at $249.99). Also of note is that the Time Round (arguably the better looking of the two) is now available at several retail locations in the UK and the EU. Oh, and that price drop should be reflected in those countries as well.
Smart strap brings payments to your Pebble smartwatch
Right now, you have slim pickings if you want to pay for things from your wrist: there's the Apple Watch, an upcoming Swatch model, eventual Samsung Gear S2 support and... that's about it. However, Fit Pay might just widen the field a bit. It's crowdfunding the Pagaré smart strap, which brings NFC-based tap-to-pay support to any Pebble Time smartwatch -- yes, including the Round. It should work at most shops that accept Apple Pay or Android Pay (it uses a similar, token-based system), and it shares familiar security measures, such as disabling access when you remove your timepiece. You don't even need to bring your phone once you've set things up.
Pebble adds custom messages and more in latest update
One of the benefits of owning a Pebble smartwatch is that the company is continually adding new features to the e-ink smartwatch, thus improving it over time. Today, the company has announced a slew of new additions which include even more messaging options for both iOS and Android. Those on iOS can now finally reply to incoming texts with custom messages instead of canned responses (only if you're on AT&T), while Android users can reply to incoming calls with texts, voice notes or even an emoji. If you have a Time-series watch and an Android phone, you may also try a new SendText app that lets you send out a message or voice note right from the watch itself.
Pebble smartwatches get a built-in fitness tracking app
If you've wanted to use your Pebble smartwatch as an activity tracker so far, you've had to grab a third-party app -- unlike Apple or Google, you didn't have anything built-in. Well, that won't be an issue after today. Pebble is rolling out a firmware update to the Time, Time Steel and Time Round that introduces Pebble Health, a native fitness tracking app. It continuously tracks your step counts and sleep, like the earlier apps, but you now have coaching (built with help from Stanford University) to see where you need improvement. Your results won't exist in a vacuum, either, since they plug into Apple's HealthKit, Google Fit and (soon) third-party watch apps.
Pebble Time watches can reply to texts on iOS (if you're on AT&T)
Some Pebble users that link their smartwatch to an iPhone will now be able to reply to text messages straight through their devices. We say "some," because this is a beta release, and the feature's available to a pretty limited number of people for now. To be able to access the capability, you must have a Pebble Time, a Time Steel or a Time Round model, all of which were launched just this year. Plus, you must be an AT&T postpaid subscriber. If you somehow fall within the intersection of that Venn diagram, you'll be able to reply to texts either with a voice or a preloaded message. Pebble says its devices are the first non-Apple smartwatch "to bring voice and text replies to... iPhone users" and that it's working to roll the feature out to more carriers.
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."