Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky announced two new smartwatches with e-paper displays.
When Google announced earlier this year that it indirectly owned Pebble's software and was open-sourcing it, allowing anyone to create smartwatches based on it, Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky revealed plans to use it to create a new smartwatch. He later announced the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 smartwatches, featuring always-on e-paper displays, long-lasting battery life, and a minimalist design with physical buttons. Both smartwatches run on the open-source PebbleOS operating system and support numerous PebbleOS services, allowing users to modify the firmware or flash custom firmware. Both watches are ready for pre-order in the consumer market, indicating that Eric Migicovsky has been involved in product development for a long time. The Core 2 Duo smartwatch is almost identical to the previous Pebble 2, featuring a 1.26-inch monochrome e-paper display. However, it boasts a new processor, a polycarbonate bezel, and a 30-day battery life. It also includes sleep tracking, step tracking, a barometer, a compass, and a built-in microphone. The suggested retail price is $149, and it will be available in black and white, with shipping expected in July. The Core Time 2, on the other hand, is Eric Migicovsky's ideal watch, derived from the previous Pebble Time series. It features a touchscreen, heart rate monitoring, a built-in microphone and speaker, and IPX8 water resistance. It will also be available in black and white, with new colors potentially added later. The suggested retail price is $225, and it will not ship until the end of this year.