Pebble has launched its 2016 line-up on Kickstarter, with updated wearables the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 joined by the all-new, Spotify-streaming Pebble Core.
New arrival the Pebble Core is arguably the most interesting unveil. Pebble’s first foray into the non-smartwatch world, it’s a small square that clips on to your clothing or sits in your pocket while you workout or go about your business.
But instead of syncing up with your phone, the Pebble Core is designed to negate the need for a handset. With 3G connectivity, it’s capable of streaming Spotify directly to your headphones, as well as tracking your workout via built-in GPS.
There’s support for a bunch of popular third-party fitness apps, including Runkeeper, Strava, MapMyRun, Google Fit and Under Armour Record – plus a few niceties.
Pebble Core will also let you record voice memos on-the-go, and comes with an emergency ‘SOS notification’ feature that can send a location update to pre-approved friends and family members.
Plus, Pebble says you’ll be able to customise the Core to your hacking heart’s content – using the accompanying SDK, the main button can configured to perform a dedicated function, such as hailing an Uber.
Shipping is set for January 2017 and the Pebble Core is available now for $69, or about £48 before VAT.
That’s what completely new, but there’s also a few updates to Pebble’s existing range of smartwatches.
The first major update to the original Pebble, the iOS and Android compatible Pebble 2 is now available. It offers sleep, step and heart rate tracking (the latter being a new addition), nearly week-long battery, new colour options (there are five flavours now), Gorilla Glass 3 protection, and a built-in microphone.
While the Pebble 2 refined many aspects of the original, we found that the HRM accuracy was lacking, making its fitness element slightly underwhelming. The new design also looked dated – smarwatch designs have come on a long way since the original Pebble. Be sure to read our full review of the Pebble 2.
Related: Pebble 2 vs Pebble – What’s the difference?
Completing the raft of new releases from Pebble, the Pebble Time 2 has been updated to feature a display that’s 50% larger and 80% sharper than its predecessor, a battery capable of lasting up to 10 days on a single charge, and built-in heart-rate monitoring.
Related: Pebble Time review
The Pebble Time 2 was originally set to release in November 2016, but that date has already been missed. In fairness, delays were always to be expected. The Pebble Time 2 will be available in gold, silver and black and set you back $169, or roughly £116 pre-Chancellor.
Are you excited for Pebble’s latest wearables? Let us know in the comments below.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
