Eric Migicovsky, the guy who created and shippedthe original Pebble smartwatch (which we reviewed way back in 2013), is back with two new devices. While technically not Pebble smartwatches, as Fitbit acquired Pebble in 2016, the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 are Pebbles in everything but name.
The Pebble 2 Is Finally Launching, Kinda
To facilitate the development and production of new (don’t call us) Pebble watches, Eric Migicovsky has set up a new company called Core Devices. The “Core” speaks to Migicovsky’s desire to take smartwatches back to their roots.
Both of the new Core smartwatches will run on PebbleOS, the Pebble operating system that’s now open-source. They’ll also boast many of the same features as the original Pebble devices, making them feel familiar to anyone who previously jumped on the Pebble bandwagon.
The Core 2 Duo, which will cost $149 and start shipping in July 2025, is essentially the Pebble 2. Albeit a Pebble 2 upgraded thanks to technological progress over the last 10 years. While the Core 2 Duo will sport the same frame and E-Ink display as the Pebble 2, the battery will last 30 days (as opposed to just seven), and there’s a speaker allowing conversations with AI assistants.
The Core Time 2, which will cost $225 and start shipping in December 2025, will be an updated version of the Pebble Time 2. The headline addition here is a touchscreen. However, this won’t provide a full multitouch experience; instead, it will enable simple taps to save scrolling through endless menus.
Both devices are now available to pre-order fromstore.rePebble.com. As previously mentioned, these devices will run on PebbleOS, which boasts notifications, alarms, timers, basic fitness tracking, and access to around 10,000 apps and watchfaces.
Seeking to Take Smartwatches Back to Basics
There’s a clear desire here to take smartwatches back to basics, with Migicovsky focusing on an always-on e-paper screen, long battery life, a simple design, physical buttons, and the ability to “hack” the devices. His vision, plus the full specs for both the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, are outlined ina post on Migicovsky’s blog.
One thing to note is Migicovsky’s warning that, “There may be some rough edges (literally). Things will get delayed. Some features will not be ready at launch. Things could break. Things could not last as long as you’d like.” So, if that sounds like a risk too far for you, it may be worth waiting until the initial run is in the hands of reviewers.
Personally, while I currently own a Fitbit which I take good care of, I’d be tempted to try one of these Core smartwatches.
