7 ms·

Pebble Steel

75 points by alexobenauer 13y ago

alwaysinshade 13y ago
$249 is a lot of money - you're talking the cost of a subsidized high-end phone for something that has less functionality. My intuition tells me smart-watches wont sell in big BIG numbers unless: - It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers - It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate, but only costs ~$250 unsubsidized. Perhaps like a flexible iPod touch that wraps around your wrist If someone can come up with a $200+ wrist-mounted device that sells in the millions but doesn't meet the same level of functionality as a smartphone then I'll gladly eat my Fitbit.
- grimtrigger 13y ago
  I had the same feeling as well. Especially since I intuitively compare it to the only other e-ink technology I know: the Kindle.
  - MRSallee 13y ago
    Clarification: Pebble and Kindle do not use the same display technology. Kindle is e-ink. Pebble is e-paper.
- beagle3 13y ago
  > It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers Subsidies are non-existent in many european countries, and seem to be (at least somewhat) on the way out in the US. I don't think this is a requirement. > It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate ... or, it does things a smartphone might but is not convenient at - e.g., an LED light is potentially much more useful on a wrist than on a phone. an NFC device is way more useful on your hand. The second factor (think two factor auth) on your wrist is also way better than reaching out for your mobile.
jffry 13y ago
THAT PAGE HAS TOO MUCH UPPERCASE COPY Seriously, though, it's kind of tiring to read.
- siphor 13y ago
  I always found it really odd and funny, that no matter how hard I try, I always read upper case words as yelling in my head --> definitely straining.
- bengotow 13y ago
  Haha I came here to say just that. Are all 42 of those words above the fold really important enough to be upper case? Literally this entire page is UPPERCASE COPY of different sizes. I'm imagining their designer looks like this: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yodqvnVBUBM/TUs3JCu2glI/AAAAAAAAAq8/KQYanH_X4Ps/s1600/angry+guy.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yodqvnVBUBM/TUs3JCu2glI/AAAAAAAAAq...
mjallday 13y ago
5-7 day battery life is really short for a watch. I guess you don't have to set the time if it runs out of juice tho?
- Widdershin 13y ago
  The time is automatically synced from your phone.
- minimaxir 13y ago
  When compared to other "smartwatches" like the Galaxy Gear, 5-7 days is an eternity.
- bmelton 13y ago
  My Fitbit Force is pretty crappy, as a watch anyway, and it gets 7 days. Of course, it charges in (what seems like) a really short time, so it evens out.
- bigiain 13y ago
  I was pleasantly surprised to see my Pebble work out that I'd crossed a state border into a timezone with no summertime on a roadtrip over xmas/new-year, within 5 or 10 minutes the time on the Pebble updated to "local time". Interestingly, not being able to _rely_ on whether or not my technology is going to get things like that right reliably might be worse than requiring manual updates to reset stuff like summertime. I always _knew_ the dumb old clock in the ~20 year old car hadn't changed timezone, I was never quite sure which of the phones, tablets, or laptops we had with us were displaying "local time" - every now and then I'd bump into two showing times an hour apart and be confused for a few seconds while I worked out if the earlier or later time was "correct".
- stormcrowsx 13y ago
  I've had a pebble for about 6 months, never actually had the battery fully die. Once the low battery warning shows up you have at least a day of life left in it. It also seems to get a full charge in < 2 hours and a 30 minute charge seems to last about 3-4 days.
deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
tolmasky 13y ago
Obviously subjective, but I think the design is hideous. It reminds me of tacky faux-professional 80s watches. In fact, doing a search for "80s watches" brings this up pretty quickly: http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/29/casio_retro.jpg http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/2... Which is exactly what comes to mind for me. I think it really works against what they're going for with the product.
- yurisagalov 13y ago
  I agree with the silver watchface with the silver metalic strap looking tacky, but having seen both the silver one and the black ones in person, I can definitely say the black one with the polished black strap looks amazing. The silver one also looks rather decent if you put a better wrist strap on it. For example: http://instagram.com/p/i1r-EyNxSO/ http://instagram.com/p/i1r-EyNxSO/
  - tolmasky 13y ago
    Yeah that definitely looks better I'll admit.
  - tadfisher 13y ago
    Pebble Steel actually comes with that leather strap in the box, so you can choose which style you like.
- NathanthePie 13y ago
  Design has really never been Pebble's strong point. Secondly (call me close-minded) I honestly don't get what use/niche 'Smart Watches' fill. Got a notification? Whip out your phone. Got a notification and need to respond? Whip out your phone. Got a notification and need to respond but are 10 meters away from your phone? Sprint like hell to your phone...or conversely, wait till you find your way back to your phone. Got a notification but don't want to obnoxiously check your phone in front of your significant other/friend/coworker/familymemeber/human? Newsflash: You're still being obnoxious when you check your watch/Glass. Want to change your music? Come on, your phone lockscreen does that in one button touch too. Want to check your "team's score"? Google Now. NFL app. Lockscreen changers. Etc. Want to personalize your watch? Let me link you to a personalized watch store. http://www.amazon.com/Watches-Mens-Womens-Kids-Accessories/b?ie=UTF8&node=377110011 http://www.amazon.com/Watches-Mens-Womens-Kids-Accessories/b... Want to have a watch that works underwater? See above link. Want to customize your watchband? See above above link. Want to read it in sunlight? ... Want to wake up (assuming you charge it at some other time) with it's gentle vibrations? Lots of smartphone apps ( and of course Jawbone Up, Nike Fuel Band, FitBit, etc) do that as well. Want to know the time? Well...Sure. I just don't really understand the rationale behind smart-watches [as they currently stand]. [Edit: I've read the below comments and I now understand.]
businessleads 13y ago
Typo toward the bottom: "CES 2014 Announcment" (missing an 'e')
ezrameanshelp 13y ago
After clicking through I opened Facebook and was served a "suggested story" offering me $15 off a Pebble "Today Only" via retargeting (http://imgur.com/qcH42af http://imgur.com/qcH42af). Clicked through and got this message that the promotion "isn't active." (http://imgur.com/pOt9KsR http://imgur.com/pOt9KsR) Stop burning money, team Pebble. You're welcome.
- ezrameanshelp 13y ago
  Live link: http://goo.gl/exgYPy http://goo.gl/exgYPy
wavesounds 13y ago
Watches >$20 will always be jewelry first and functionality second. This is a step in the right direction but I think they can do better. I think we need a round face. Years of watch making tells us its clearly more attractive and what most consumers prefer, and a round display will be more 'revolutionary' then just a tiny smart phone on your wrist.
- uxp 13y ago
  I was a watchmaker before I started hacking on code and realized it had a better future. Yes, one of those guys with a loupe and tweezers, and even an itty bitty lathe assembling small parts in the back corner of some old shop. Watches greater than $20 is (hopefully) every single fucking watch in existence. You're deluding yourself if you think that manufacturing costs of these things will become so low you could buy one instead of lunch, and have it work at least until dinner the same day. If you want a quality, but commoditized watch at a bargain price, you'll be looking at $150 to $250, which will last you for 4 or 5 years, and can be serviced when needed. (Isn't this place the same place that bemoans Apple every time a new iPad or MacBook Air comes out on how unserviceable they are?) Watches over $300 are arguably jewelry (and I'm being very generous here). Watches over $1,000 are starting to become timepieces, and people still pay good money for high quality watches that can last generations. The watch on my wrist right now is has been running constantly for over 10 years old, and has been serviced once (basically an oil change). What other mechanical device have you ever owned that has run constantly for ~5 years and not needed service? Your car can barely go 50 hours of continuous use at 65MPH before it's recommended to change the oil. And round face? Really? Years (centuries, actually) of watchmaking have given us a round face because watches have always been manufactured on a lathe, which has a habit of producing round objects. Round faces are not "clearly more attractive". In fact, marketing of high end watches suggest that a half convex rectangle (width sides are straight, length sides are convex) is the most attractive watch shape, which is precisely what the Pebble is. Sorry for the rant, but seriously, $20 is the worst number you could have pulled out of your ass, along with the round shape statement. Listen, I own, and probably dislike the Pebble (as a watch) just as much as anyone else that dislikes it, but your comment here is just completely uneducated and lacks any facts whatsoever.
mrinterweb 13y ago
I have a Pebble, and I love it. One of the best purchases I have made for the value it adds. I wish that Pebble would come out with a watch design that is more feminine. My wife really wants one, but she thinks the current pebbles are too masculine.
egypturnash 13y ago
Pebble for MEN.
mikro2nd 13y ago
"Sorry Because of its privacy settings, this video cannot be played here."
JohnTHaller 13y ago
Specification Clarification: The display is a low-power LCD. Pebble insists on calling it "e-paper" in the specs, likely to make people think it's related to the more advanced e-ink display you'd find in ereaders. It's just a low-power gray-scale LCD that loses image whenever power isn't applied to it. Still a cool product. Just a disingenuous spec listing.
- akx 13y ago
  To be exact, it's a SHARP Memory LCD. http://www.adafruit.com/products/1393 http://www.adafruit.com/products/1393 for DIYers. It's still closer to e-paper in look and feel (readable without backlight but backlightable, for instance) than what people associate with the word "LCD screen", which is probably what the marketing/spec is trying to convey.
- ksrm 13y ago
  http://sharpmemorylcd.com/ http://sharpmemorylcd.com/ They have extremely high contrast, I don't think it's fair to compare them to standard LCDs (they aren't e-paper either, but they're far closer to that level of contrast). And their static power consumption is in the microwatts.
bnzelener 13y ago
I'm 22 and never wore a watch while growing up, but I've been using a Pebble for about 3 months. I really like it. It's been most helpful when I'm skiing, biking, or flying RC planes. Checking messages at a glance is awesome. I also use it for navigating music while driving. Probably the biggest affect of using the Pebble has been having its function as a watch - somewhat ironic. If I forget it, I'm constantly looking at my bare wrist to check the time. I wanted to see a microphone for Siri/Google Now integration in the next hardware revision. Pebble Steel isn't that impressive to me - but I see where someone might want a fancier Pebble, rather than just a fancier band.
seriocomic 13y ago
Having been an early Kickstarter backer and wearer for some time now I jumped at the opportunity to get the new Steel version (black in my case). The reasons: - The Pebble has replaced my desire to wear one of my 8 other (yes, I'm one of those people) watches - this really is a case of function over form for those who dislike the look. - I'm addicted to the notifications - especially of incoming calls and SMS (or at least addicted to the feeling that I didn't miss them) - My current resin Pebble is already showing signs of wear, the strap holder never really did it's function and the screen is now a swirly mess of fine scratches and buff marks that hopefully the new Corning GorillaGlass will remedy. Those who make throwaway comments about the need/want for a Pebble watch should really be those who have had the opportunity to wear one for a week or so and see the convenience it brings if you're already tethered to the world by your smart-phone.
Kiro 13y ago
Have they fixed the issue where the screen looks like an oil spill in certain light?

75 points by alexobenauer 13y ago

$249 is a lot of money - you're talking the cost of a subsidized high-end phone for something that has less functionality. My intuition tells me smart-watches wont sell in big BIG numbers unless: - It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers - It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate, but only costs ~$250 unsubsidized. Perhaps like a flexible iPod touch that wraps around your wrist If someone can come up with a $200+ wrist-mounted device that sells in the millions but doesn't meet the same level of functionality as a smartphone then I'll gladly eat my Fitbit.

grimtrigger 13y ago
I had the same feeling as well. Especially since I intuitively compare it to the only other e-ink technology I know: the Kindle.
- MRSallee 13y ago
  Clarification: Pebble and Kindle do not use the same display technology. Kindle is e-ink. Pebble is e-paper.
beagle3 13y ago
> It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers Subsidies are non-existent in many european countries, and seem to be (at least somewhat) on the way out in the US. I don't think this is a requirement. > It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate ... or, it does things a smartphone might but is not convenient at - e.g., an LED light is potentially much more useful on a wrist than on a phone. an NFC device is way more useful on your hand. The second factor (think two factor auth) on your wrist is also way better than reaching out for your mobile.

jffry 13y ago

THAT PAGE HAS TOO MUCH UPPERCASE COPY Seriously, though, it's kind of tiring to read.

siphor 13y ago
I always found it really odd and funny, that no matter how hard I try, I always read upper case words as yelling in my head --> definitely straining.
bengotow 13y ago
Haha I came here to say just that. Are all 42 of those words above the fold really important enough to be upper case? Literally this entire page is UPPERCASE COPY of different sizes. I'm imagining their designer looks like this: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yodqvnVBUBM/TUs3JCu2glI/AAAAAAAAAq8/KQYanH_X4Ps/s1600/angry+guy.jpg http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yodqvnVBUBM/TUs3JCu2glI/AAAAAAAAAq...

mjallday 13y ago

5-7 day battery life is really short for a watch. I guess you don't have to set the time if it runs out of juice tho?

Widdershin 13y ago
The time is automatically synced from your phone.
minimaxir 13y ago
When compared to other "smartwatches" like the Galaxy Gear, 5-7 days is an eternity.
bmelton 13y ago
My Fitbit Force is pretty crappy, as a watch anyway, and it gets 7 days. Of course, it charges in (what seems like) a really short time, so it evens out.
bigiain 13y ago
I was pleasantly surprised to see my Pebble work out that I'd crossed a state border into a timezone with no summertime on a roadtrip over xmas/new-year, within 5 or 10 minutes the time on the Pebble updated to "local time". Interestingly, not being able to _rely_ on whether or not my technology is going to get things like that right reliably might be worse than requiring manual updates to reset stuff like summertime. I always _knew_ the dumb old clock in the ~20 year old car hadn't changed timezone, I was never quite sure which of the phones, tablets, or laptops we had with us were displaying "local time" - every now and then I'd bump into two showing times an hour apart and be confused for a few seconds while I worked out if the earlier or later time was "correct".
stormcrowsx 13y ago
I've had a pebble for about 6 months, never actually had the battery fully die. Once the low battery warning shows up you have at least a day of life left in it. It also seems to get a full charge in < 2 hours and a 30 minute charge seems to last about 3-4 days.

deleted 13y ago

[deleted]

tolmasky 13y ago

Obviously subjective, but I think the design is hideous. It reminds me of tacky faux-professional 80s watches. In fact, doing a search for "80s watches" brings this up pretty quickly: http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/29/casio_retro.jpg http://modculture.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2008/02/2... Which is exactly what comes to mind for me. I think it really works against what they're going for with the product.

yurisagalov 13y ago
I agree with the silver watchface with the silver metalic strap looking tacky, but having seen both the silver one and the black ones in person, I can definitely say the black one with the polished black strap looks amazing. The silver one also looks rather decent if you put a better wrist strap on it. For example: http://instagram.com/p/i1r-EyNxSO/ http://instagram.com/p/i1r-EyNxSO/
- tolmasky 13y ago
  Yeah that definitely looks better I'll admit.
- tadfisher 13y ago
  Pebble Steel actually comes with that leather strap in the box, so you can choose which style you like.
NathanthePie 13y ago
Design has really never been Pebble's strong point. Secondly (call me close-minded) I honestly don't get what use/niche 'Smart Watches' fill. Got a notification? Whip out your phone. Got a notification and need to respond? Whip out your phone. Got a notification and need to respond but are 10 meters away from your phone? Sprint like hell to your phone...or conversely, wait till you find your way back to your phone. Got a notification but don't want to obnoxiously check your phone in front of your significant other/friend/coworker/familymemeber/human? Newsflash: You're still being obnoxious when you check your watch/Glass. Want to change your music? Come on, your phone lockscreen does that in one button touch too. Want to check your "team's score"? Google Now. NFL app. Lockscreen changers. Etc. Want to personalize your watch? Let me link you to a personalized watch store. http://www.amazon.com/Watches-Mens-Womens-Kids-Accessories/b?ie=UTF8&node=377110011 http://www.amazon.com/Watches-Mens-Womens-Kids-Accessories/b... Want to have a watch that works underwater? See above link. Want to customize your watchband? See above above link. Want to read it in sunlight? ... Want to wake up (assuming you charge it at some other time) with it's gentle vibrations? Lots of smartphone apps ( and of course Jawbone Up, Nike Fuel Band, FitBit, etc) do that as well. Want to know the time? Well...Sure. I just don't really understand the rationale behind smart-watches [as they currently stand]. [Edit: I've read the below comments and I now understand.]

businessleads 13y ago

Typo toward the bottom: "CES 2014 Announcment" (missing an 'e')

ezrameanshelp 13y ago

After clicking through I opened Facebook and was served a "suggested story" offering me $15 off a Pebble "Today Only" via retargeting (http://imgur.com/qcH42af http://imgur.com/qcH42af). Clicked through and got this message that the promotion "isn't active." (http://imgur.com/pOt9KsR http://imgur.com/pOt9KsR) Stop burning money, team Pebble. You're welcome.

ezrameanshelp 13y ago
Live link: http://goo.gl/exgYPy http://goo.gl/exgYPy

wavesounds 13y ago

Watches >$20 will always be jewelry first and functionality second. This is a step in the right direction but I think they can do better. I think we need a round face. Years of watch making tells us its clearly more attractive and what most consumers prefer, and a round display will be more 'revolutionary' then just a tiny smart phone on your wrist.

uxp 13y ago
I was a watchmaker before I started hacking on code and realized it had a better future. Yes, one of those guys with a loupe and tweezers, and even an itty bitty lathe assembling small parts in the back corner of some old shop. Watches greater than $20 is (hopefully) every single fucking watch in existence. You're deluding yourself if you think that manufacturing costs of these things will become so low you could buy one instead of lunch, and have it work at least until dinner the same day. If you want a quality, but commoditized watch at a bargain price, you'll be looking at $150 to $250, which will last you for 4 or 5 years, and can be serviced when needed. (Isn't this place the same place that bemoans Apple every time a new iPad or MacBook Air comes out on how unserviceable they are?) Watches over $300 are arguably jewelry (and I'm being very generous here). Watches over $1,000 are starting to become timepieces, and people still pay good money for high quality watches that can last generations. The watch on my wrist right now is has been running constantly for over 10 years old, and has been serviced once (basically an oil change). What other mechanical device have you ever owned that has run constantly for ~5 years and not needed service? Your car can barely go 50 hours of continuous use at 65MPH before it's recommended to change the oil. And round face? Really? Years (centuries, actually) of watchmaking have given us a round face because watches have always been manufactured on a lathe, which has a habit of producing round objects. Round faces are not "clearly more attractive". In fact, marketing of high end watches suggest that a half convex rectangle (width sides are straight, length sides are convex) is the most attractive watch shape, which is precisely what the Pebble is. Sorry for the rant, but seriously, $20 is the worst number you could have pulled out of your ass, along with the round shape statement. Listen, I own, and probably dislike the Pebble (as a watch) just as much as anyone else that dislikes it, but your comment here is just completely uneducated and lacks any facts whatsoever.

mrinterweb 13y ago

I have a Pebble, and I love it. One of the best purchases I have made for the value it adds. I wish that Pebble would come out with a watch design that is more feminine. My wife really wants one, but she thinks the current pebbles are too masculine.

egypturnash 13y ago

Pebble for MEN.

mikro2nd 13y ago

"Sorry Because of its privacy settings, this video cannot be played here."

JohnTHaller 13y ago

Specification Clarification: The display is a low-power LCD. Pebble insists on calling it "e-paper" in the specs, likely to make people think it's related to the more advanced e-ink display you'd find in ereaders. It's just a low-power gray-scale LCD that loses image whenever power isn't applied to it. Still a cool product. Just a disingenuous spec listing.

akx 13y ago
To be exact, it's a SHARP Memory LCD. http://www.adafruit.com/products/1393 http://www.adafruit.com/products/1393 for DIYers. It's still closer to e-paper in look and feel (readable without backlight but backlightable, for instance) than what people associate with the word "LCD screen", which is probably what the marketing/spec is trying to convey.
ksrm 13y ago
http://sharpmemorylcd.com/ http://sharpmemorylcd.com/ They have extremely high contrast, I don't think it's fair to compare them to standard LCDs (they aren't e-paper either, but they're far closer to that level of contrast). And their static power consumption is in the microwatts.

bnzelener 13y ago

I'm 22 and never wore a watch while growing up, but I've been using a Pebble for about 3 months. I really like it. It's been most helpful when I'm skiing, biking, or flying RC planes. Checking messages at a glance is awesome. I also use it for navigating music while driving. Probably the biggest affect of using the Pebble has been having its function as a watch - somewhat ironic. If I forget it, I'm constantly looking at my bare wrist to check the time. I wanted to see a microphone for Siri/Google Now integration in the next hardware revision. Pebble Steel isn't that impressive to me - but I see where someone might want a fancier Pebble, rather than just a fancier band.

seriocomic 13y ago

Having been an early Kickstarter backer and wearer for some time now I jumped at the opportunity to get the new Steel version (black in my case). The reasons: - The Pebble has replaced my desire to wear one of my 8 other (yes, I'm one of those people) watches - this really is a case of function over form for those who dislike the look. - I'm addicted to the notifications - especially of incoming calls and SMS (or at least addicted to the feeling that I didn't miss them) - My current resin Pebble is already showing signs of wear, the strap holder never really did it's function and the screen is now a swirly mess of fine scratches and buff marks that hopefully the new Corning GorillaGlass will remedy. Those who make throwaway comments about the need/want for a Pebble watch should really be those who have had the opportunity to wear one for a week or so and see the convenience it brings if you're already tethered to the world by your smart-phone.

Kiro 13y ago

Have they fixed the issue where the screen looks like an oil spill in certain light?