Pebble uses Kickstarter a third time for all new wearables range

I was going to start with the phrase ‘third time lucky?’ but then realised just how stupidly successful Pebble has been on both occasions it used the crowd-sourcing service to get funds to build some smartwatches.

It’s around an hour since Pebble unveiled a new collection of devices and it seems the money is already coming in thick and fast. In fact, it’s almost hit the $1m mark at time of publishing!

This time around, Pebble has gone beyond selling just smartwatches in a move that makes perfect sense. The fitness wearables market is considerably more popular than smartwatches still, and Pebble needs a more stable income than trying to sell to people who still aren’t sure they need a smartwatch.

But for those who do understand wearables, the new Pebble Time 2 should be the most exciting product announced today. So much so that I have to declare that I’ve already backed it, even with a November 2016 shipping date (so let’s be honest, if they arrive before Christmas it will be impressive).

This time around the Pebble Time 2 has a bigger display (200×228 pixels with 202DPI, compared to 144×168 pixels and 172DPI), smaller bezel and heart rate monitoring. And yet it still claims up to 10 days battery life.

And then there’s the more simple black and white Pebble 2, which is cheaper and will also ship sooner (September).

Finally, the Pebble Core devices move things on from watches to wearable devices that can stream music and keep track of your movement for later analysis – sharing the data from Pebble direct (including emails of your progress, which current Pebble users may have seen starting to arrive in their inboxes from the start of this week) and also sharing to other services.

The Kickstarter is open now and runs for the next month or so, so interested parties can go and have a look at the various packages on offer and find out more about each individual device. As ever, be aware that Kickstarter is about investing and not actually purchasing. You could wind up paying money for something that never happens, even though it’s unlikely here.

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Pebble Models – Specs Comparison

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Official Press Release

Pebble Launches New Product Lineup on Kickstarter

Announces Two New Smartwatches with Fitness Focus and New Built-in Heart Rate Monitors, and Introduces Pebble Core, A New Cellular Connected Wearable Device for Runners

Redwood City, CA (May 24, 2016) — Pebble Technology Corp., the smartwatch pioneer and Kickstarter record-holder, is proud to launch its new product lineup on Kickstarter, the same community-driven platform that helped Pebble introduce the smartwatch to the world four years ago. The lineup includes two new fitness-focused smartwatches, Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2, with new built-in heart rate monitors and activity tracking. They also deliver the same phone, text and information notifications Pebble products always have. Beyond these new watches, the company is also expanding into the broader wearables market with the introduction of Pebble Core, its first non-smartwatch device. Pebble Core is a first-of-its-kind 3G connected wearable device designed for runners to enjoy their workout without carrying a smartphone. Pebble Core streams music with Spotify integration, tracks your location with GPS, and can send an emergency SOS with your location. Starting today, anyone can back Pebble 2, Pebble Time 2, and Pebble Core on Kickstarter at https://www.pebble.com/kickstarter.

“Pebble has a rich history of giving people simple devices that do a few things really well and make life a bit easier. Health and communications is at the heart of how people use wearables today,” said Eric Migicovsky, CEO and co-founder of Pebble. “Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 combine the power of a fitness tracker with the awesome smartwatch features that we’ve developed over the last four years. With Pebble Core, we’re launching off the wrist and taking wearables to the next level.”

Pebble Core – Listen to Spotify and Track Your Runs, Leave your Phone at Home

Ultra-compact, ultra-lightweight, and ultra-affordable, Pebble Core is a new type of wearable device that frees you from the hassles of exercising with your phone, but keeps you connected so you can listen to music and track your activity on the go. Available in white and black, Core can easily clip-on to your clothing or fit in your pocket. Without needing your phone near you, Pebble Core enables you to:

• Stream music from Spotify Premium and stay motivated with favorite playlists
• Track running pace and distances via built-in GPS
• Sync with Runkeeper, Strava, MapMyRun, Google Fit and Under Armour Record
• Capture voice notes for those brilliant ideas that hit in the middle of a workout
• Send an Emergency SOS notification with your location to trusted friends or family
• Quickly activate Pebble apps, like ordering an Uber, with just the tap of a button
• Easily connect to keychains or bags for safe-keeping or to find lost items
• Use a SIM card for cellular access
• Enjoy phone-free exercise for hours (battery lasts up to 9 hours playing music and tracking GPS)
• Charge wirelessly with any Qi charger or with the included cable

Pebble Core is available now on Kickstarter starting at $69 and starts shipping in January.

Pebble 2 – Our Most Affordable, Fitness-Focused Smartwatch

Pebble 2 marks the first major upgrade to the original Pebble smartwatch and offers intelligent sleep, step and heart-rate tracking at an unbeatable price. In true Pebble fashion, it works with iOS and Android, has a week-long battery life, and is readable in daylight or indoors. Additionally, it sports a lens with anti-scratch coating, is water resistant up to 30 meters, and has a built-in microphone for quick voice replies and notes. Pebble 2 is compatible with 13,000 existing apps and runs on an updated version of Pebble’s OS that enables one-click actions, making it easier than ever to call an Uber or check your calendar right from your wrist.

Pebble 2 is available in five sporty colors on Kickstarter now starting at $99 and starts shipping in September.

Pebble Time 2 – A Premium Smartwatch, Designed for Active Professionals

Made from stainless steel and available in gold, silver, and black, Pebble Time 2 is a premium smartwatch for the active professional. It features a color e-paper display that is more than 50% larger than its predecessor and a higher resolution of 80% more pixels so you can see twice the text. Its battery lasts up to 10 days on a single charge and just like Pebble 2, it was developed with a focus on fitness, with a built-in heart rate monitor and microphone. Pebble Time 2 is available now on Kickstarter starting at $169 and starts shipping in November.

“When Pebble got their start on Kickstarter, they not only brought an innovative idea to life, but inspired an entirely new category of product,” said Yancey Strickler, Kickstarter CEO. “For the third time in four years Pebble is continuing that tradition of creativity in a big way. We’re thrilled they’ve come back to the Kickstarter community with their latest innovation.”

Pebble Core, Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 are available exclusively on Kickstarter now with worldwide shipping and will be coming to Pebble.com and other retailers later this year and early 2017.