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The Smartwatch Pebble Can Make a Comeback

Google releases the source code for the Pebble smartwatch, and the Pebble creator is eager to make a new version.

Ove Kaufeldt

Published 30 January 2025 - 10:40

Once upon a time, there was a smartwatch called Pebble that appeared in Sweden eleven years ago. It was one of the first smartwatches, but it couldn't withstand the competition and in 2016 it was acquired by Fitbit, which in turn was acquired by Google in 2019.

Now, Google announces that they are releasing the source code for Pebble for free, so that anyone who wants can download it from Github. According to Google, this is part of the company's efforts to support volunteers who want to keep the older smartwatches alive.

The original Pebble's Canadian founder, Eric Migicovsky, has now announced that he plans to create a new version of "Pebble," but under a different brand. Migicovsky wants to keep exactly the same concept: an always-on e-paper display, long battery life, physical buttons, and a simple modifiable user interface.

For those who are curious about the project, more information is available at repebble.com.