Pebble to bring back e-ink smart wearables

28 January 2025
The company founder revealed Google has open-sourced PebbleOS.

Sort by:

  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • 7ZW
  • 15 hours ago

Some manufacturers doesn't know their importance. Whose needs Amoled on a smart watch. They did the right thing but their management stopped it. As expected from management... what else can they do

    is there an update on eric's small phone project?

      Trooper, 28 Jan 2025I've had a Galaxy Fit 2 for the past 3 years, and have... moreThanks for the recommendation. I'm not sure if I'd get a pre-owned one, but the Galaxy Fit3 does seem to be pretty good as well. I'll wait for Pebble's relaunch before deciding, though.

      EDIT: The Fit3 has the same rear contact points for charging that I hate on other watches 😓 I know that's pretty common, but man, I just want a USB-C port or something... but I guess that would be an entry point for moisture. Still, I do like everything else about the Fit3, especially that price point.

        EskeRahn, 28 Jan 2025I should have googled first, I see that e-ink refresh has c... moreCheck out Fossil's now discontinued HR range, I have a Collider HR, awesome if you just want the essentials like steps, heart rate, sleep, sports, notifs, and music controls. Has stopwatch, timer and alarm too. And since they're discontinued, you can get them cheap. Not even close to 60 Hz but that's not necessary. The display gets burn-in if exposed to the sun for long tho.

          earworm, 29 Jan 2025They could use a transflective lcd screen which has a fast ... moreIt has been over ten years since I have used anything with a transflective screen, so I do not know if/how they improved the technology since then. I recall it as OK but not fantastic.

            EskeRahn, 28 Jan 2025I'm pretty sure the main reason they ditched E-Paper &... moreThey could use a transflective lcd screen which has a fast refresh rate, but I'm guessing the designers consider it outdated.

              • T
              • TySly
              • 39x
              • 28 Jan 2025

              Still got an original one boxed like new

                • T
                • Trooper
                • 39y
                • 28 Jan 2025

                SlyAceZeta, 28 Jan 2025The only smartwatch I've ever owned was a Fitbit Versa... moreI've had a Galaxy Fit 2 for the past 3 years, and have used it for the same things you have mentioned. I'm still using it now, and still get nearly a month between charges. It's the only smart band/watch I've owned (so can't compare it to anything else), but it's has been, and is still doing what I originally purchased it for, and have only recently had to replace the worn out strap for the first time. They are still available on the used/preowned market, and could be a good option to tide you over till the new Pebbles are released...

                  The only smartwatch I've ever owned was a Fitbit Versa 3. I really enjoyed it, but I hate charging the thing, and then Google neutered Fitbit to hell and back. My poor Versa 3 has been sitting in my drawer for months. All I need from a smartwatch are telling time, checking notifications, and tracking my sleep and steps, with simple charging and a decent battery and a screen I can read in sunlight. I don't need SIM or fancy blood monitoring or even a microphone or speakers. Everything on the market right now is overpriced and bloated. I didn't discover Pebble until after it had already been bought out, but it seems like Eric Migicovsky wants to make exactly what I want to buy. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this.

                    • S
                    • Smartwatchguy
                    • Yd6
                    • 28 Jan 2025

                    Very good news! Google, needs to decide if they will close the environment or provide a stable platform for users and developers.

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • 7@8
                      • 28 Jan 2025

                      EskeRahn, 28 Jan 2025I'm pretty sure the main reason they ditched E-Paper &... moreYeah, e-ink variants stopped evolving for a long time, but it looks like there is change in the air. TCL's Nxtpaper looks quite promising with fairly solid 60fps support and the others are also releasing faster refresh rate alternatives this and next year. They'll need to get it working with thin bezels, though. 2015 style bezels ain't gonna cut it in this day and age. 😅

                        I should have googled first, I see that e-ink refresh has come a loooong way by 'simply' using a smarter controller. See e.g. this
                        https://youtu.be/aSXsLAuGads
                        Whether this can be scaled down to smart watch size I have no idea though.

                        You can even get a 60Hz refresh rate tablet display now, see e.g.
                        https://www.theverge.com/2025/1/23/24350334/dasung-paperlike-103-display-monitor-screen-e-ink-60hz

                          PLEASE release an E-Sim variant. Bro, I had this up until a couple years back (Had to stuff a little piece of cardboard under the battery to stop the rattling and the screen tearing). LOVED it. Will buy it in a thought , BUT, please release a version with E-Sim. Looking forward to it.

                            I can't believe you could buy like 6-7 years ago Amazfit Bip with ALWAYS on display perfectly readable in daylight and more than one month battery life, all that fitted in

                              Adomas, 28 Jan 2025I always prefer e-ink/MIP displays in smartwatches but for ... moreI'm pretty sure the main reason they ditched E-Paper & E-ink is the slow refresh rate, making it require a special UI without scrolling as we are used to from other UIs.

                              Though great for showing something changing slowly only, it can be problematic for displaying other stuff. And if they still need to refresh the entire image and can not refresh locally, you can not have a seconds hand without loosing the benefits of the low power usage.

                              Optimally we would have some sort of hybrid with a transparent OLED over an E-ink display.

                                • P
                                • Peder T
                                • Mri
                                • 28 Jan 2025

                                I loved the Pebble - but they didn't use eInk as the article wrongly states - it was a LCD display (32-millimetre (1.26 in) 144×168 pixel Sharp Memory transflective LCD).

                                  Great news. Love my Peeble watch, try an Amazfit GTR, but no app et closed software. Waiting for new devices...

                                    • T
                                    • Thomas
                                    • JGk
                                    • 28 Jan 2025

                                    Yes please! My old fun isn't working anymore, I am definitely buying one when released

                                      • A
                                      • Adomas
                                      • AHg
                                      • 28 Jan 2025

                                      I always prefer e-ink/MIP displays in smartwatches but for whatever reason all smartwatch manufacturers seem to ditch it for Oled. Amazfit bip - they ditched it. Garmin Vivoactive - they ditched it. Even fitbit's first smartwatch had the MIP display.

                                        1 of 1