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See my full review of Pebble Time: Pebble Time — Is This the Smartwatch for You?
A Kickstarter record was shattered when Pebble announced its latest project: Pebble Time. Breaking Kickstarter records is nothing new for Pebble but watching its Kickstarter page was yesterday was witnessing tech history being made.
Pebble Time’s initial goal of $500,000 in funding was smashed within a mere 17 minutes with over $1 million being pledged in the first hour. Within 4.5 hours over $5 million had been raised. In under 12 hours, Pebble raised more than $7 million for its latest project. At the time of this publication, less than 24 hours after the Kickstarter campaign was launched, Pebble has raised $8.5 million.
You can see a real-time graph of the amount being raised on Kickstarter by Pebble Time at Pebble Time Tracker.
Pebble Time is due to be released in May 2015 for $199 in three colors: black, white and red. Unlike the first generation Pebble watch, Pebble Time has been totally developed and the Kickstarter campaign is to fund mass production of the device.
The campaign is scheduled to end on March 27, 2015 at 10 pm EST but don’t be surprised if it ends early. The initial Early Bird level of $159 sold out within an hour and Pebble expanded its next $179 level from 20,000 backers to 30,000 on Day 1.
Pebble is the fastest project to ever raise $1 Million on Kickstarter. ~30 minutes: https://t.co/bUWViWal6a @Pebble @ericmigi
— Kickstarter (@kickstarter) February 24, 2015
Update: Check out Pebble’s Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit for more information from the developer about Pebble Time: Pebble Time Reddit AMA.
What’s So Special about Pebble Time?
Pebble Time will be compatible with iPhone, Android and Samsung smartphones running the latest operating systems. With a color e-ink screen that can be viewed in direct sunlight, the watch has a whopping 7 day battery life, the same as the original Pebble watch.
The Time is 20% thinner than its predecessor and curved for a more comfortable fit. You won’t have to take your watch off to go swimming or take a shower, Pebble Time is water-resistant. The Time will be backward-compatible, running apps designed for the original Pebble watch and the Pebble Steel.
The quick release bands let you change the strap within 10 seconds. Standard 22 mm bands should fit the watch. The back of the watch has an accessory port so you can attach other devices such as a heart monitor or GPS device, that may be developed in the future. Vibration alarms will be available on the Time.
Timeline
Pebble has redesigned the watch app navigation with a clever method so you can scroll through the apps more easily using the three buttons on the right side.
1. Press the upper button to access apps that give you information about the past, such as:
- Text messages
- Fitness tracking
- Sports scores
2. Press the middle button for present:
- Current time
- Music that’s playing
- Incoming calls
3. Press the bottom button for apps in the future:
- Calendar appointments
- Weather
- Alarms
Pebble said in its campaign that it would eventually be bringing Timeline to the original Pebble watch sometime in the future.
Microphone
A major new feature of Pebble Time is the addition of a microphone that will broadly expand the functionality of the watch. For now Android owners will be able to make the best use of the microphone to do things such as leave voice messages and dictate text.
iOS users will be restricted to using the microphone only to dictate Gmail messages, but Pebble hopes that microphone use for iPhone will be expanded before the launch of Time.
From Pebble:
Sending voice replies works with most major Android apps including SMS, Hangouts, Gmail, Facebook Messenger, Whatsapp and hundreds more. For iOS users, voice replies are currently limited to Gmail notifications. We’re working to enable voice replies for more apps.”
Pebble Time vs. Apple Watch
By utilizing Kickstarter, Pebble was able to generate excitement and sell its new watch before the Apple Watch launch due in April, even though Pebble will be launching Time in May. The inevitable comparisons between the two watches mean that the battle will be fierce.
Battery Life
- Apple — 1 day
- Pebble Time — 7 days
Screen
- Apple — Retina display
- Pebble Time — E-ink
Microphone
- Apple — Yes
- Pebble Time — Yes
Apps
- Apple — Probably thousands
- Pebble Time — 6500+ for the existing Pebble watch
Navigation
- Apple — Touch screen and digital crown
- Pebble Time — Timeline and buttons
Style/Color Choices
- Apple — 3 styles in 2 sizes and 6 colors
- Pebble Time — 3 colors
Compatibility
- Apple — iPhone
- Pebble Time — iPhone, Android, Samsung
Availability
- Apple — April 2015
- Pebble Time — May 2015
Price
- Apple — prices begin at $349
- Pebble Time — $199
Your Thoughts
Are you excited about Pebble Time? Which features do you like the best? Do you think that Pebble Time can compete with the Apple Watch? How much money do you think the Kickstarter campaign will raise? Let us know in the Comments section below!
Another day, another smartwatch! At least it seems like it since dozens of companies have products on the market – Samsung alone sells at least six models – no current version has caught on big time. Independent research firm Smartwatch Group just came out with their estimate that less than seven million smartwatches were sold last year.
Apple disrupted the market last fall when they announced (finally) a delivery date for their smartwatch – coming this April. There’s a good chance Apple will do to the smartwatch market what they did to music players, smartphones and tablets – steamroll everyone. With their track record, I certainly wouldn’t bet against them.
It’s tempting to predict winners and losers based on feature comparisons but in the end many other factors come into play. Features can change in a flash – if not with a software upgrade – then with a new model in six months. No matter the patents and other IP protections in place, everyone copies everyone so really great “unique” features become common place very shortly.
Not long ago the “common wisdom” was that people wouldn’t want smartwatches because they didn’t wear watches anymore. The problem with this reasoning is that smartwatches should have a different name. Just because they tell time, they are no more “watches” than my microwave is a “clock” because it tells time.
Time will tell if 2015 becomes known as the “year of the smartwatch”.
Hi Gary, I’ve owned my original Kickstarted edition Pebble watch for two years now and I wear it every day. I love never missing a call or a text. I can see who is calling instantly, very handy to not have to dig my phone out every time I get a call or a text.
Samsung’s smart watches only work with Samsung phones which limits their market.
That being said, I always have a difficult time convincing people why a smart watch is so handy. I’ve only seen one other Pebble in the wild, smart watches really haven’t caught on yet.
But it is interesting how the Kickstarter campaign exploded yesterday. Interest is intense, perhaps only with a small group of us fans.
You’re right, Apple Watch may change all of this and make smart watches a must-have gadget, as they did with MP3 players, tablets and smart phones. As you so wisely said, “Time will tell!”
Hi, Carol, thanks for a great review and comparison.
Kickstarter is fascinating. Most people I know who’ve used it are at the sub $10k level or even sub $1k, which is quite amateurish compared to Pebble! I think regardless of whether a product needs funding Kickstarter is becoming an essential part of marketing campaigns, especially with these sort of headlines 🙂
These watches look great but what I need first is a spare arm – I’ve recently been given a Misfit activity watch and I don’t have the space for a Pebble too 🙂
I have been really wanting to get a phone watch, but I don’t see them to be ready for prime-time yet. It is great to see that they are making progress.
Hi George, Yes, we are getting closer to having our phones on our wrists but we’re not quite there yet with the Pebble Time. While Pebble Time has a microphone, it doesn’t have a speaker. Apple has a press conference March 9 when it will give more details about the Pebble Time.
Pebble Time is undoubtedly the best option for those who are looking for a bang for buck stuff and I whole heartedly support such project and I even contributed my share for it when the funding was done.The same I did for the Jolla Tab and I am waiting for two amazing pieces of technology to come my way.
Smart watches are getting popular day by day and we can see that major smartphone manufacturer companies are producing smartwatches with its high-end smartphones and most of them are only compatible with it’s on smartphones.
Here I can see that Pebble watch is also compatible with Apple that will be a added advantage for the Pebble watch. Compatibility with more apps can be a plus point of Pebble watch over Apple Watch.