A classic gadget brand is making a comeback. Pebble smartwatch founder Eric Migicovsky has announced the launch of a new brand, called Core Devices, which will launch the Core Time 2 and Core Duo 2 later this year. If you’re a Pebble fan, this is what you’ve been waiting for – both of these device are Pebble watches in everything but name.
Pebble preceded the modern smartwatch, offering a new vision for the future of the humble watch. Over time, Pebble fell out of favor with newer and more capable devices like the Apple Watch, and the brand was eventually sold to Fitbit – which itself was eventually sold to Google.
But earlier this year, Google announced that it would open-source the Pebble operating system, essentially meaning that anyone could use it, for free, for their products. That includes Eric Migicovsky and Core Devices, which may not own the Pebble name, but seemingly has the rights to release watches that look like Pebble successors, and full rights to use the software that shipped with them.
So what about the devices themselves? Both of them continue Pebble’s design legacy, which these days means that they look kind of retro. That potentially makes them perfect for launching now specifically, given how in vogue retro tech is.
Core 2 Duo
The first of the new watches is the Core 2 Duo, which is set to ship in July and will cost $149. According to Migicovsky, it’s essentially a Pebble 2 watch, but made by his new company. It has the same black and white e-ink display and more or less the same design as the original Pebble 2 watch.
There are some upgrades to the actual tech inside the device, though. It will have an impressive 30-day battery life, thanks largely to more power-efficient Bluetooth chips. It also has a speaker built into it, unlike the original device.
Core Time 2
The second watch, called the Core Time 2, is a refreshed Pebble Time 2. It will ship in December and will be a little more expensive than the Core 2 Duo, priced at $225. The big upgrade to this device is a touch display, which will make it easier to access certain information, though Migicovsky noted in a report from The Verge that he doesn’t necessarily intend to make the device a whole multi-touch surface like some smartwatches. It also has things like a heart rate monitor, step tracking, and sleep tracking.
It’s likely that these two watches are simply a starting point for Core Devices, and while they play on nostalgia, it remains to be seen exactly where the company will go for any future products. I wouldn’t be surprised to see things like more fitness tracking sensors added down the road, though I certainly expect the company to remain true to its design philosophy.
Both of the new Core Devices watches are available for pre-order here.