Design has really never been Pebble's strong point.
Secondly (call me close-minded) I honestly don't get what use/niche 'Smart Watches' fill.
Got a notification? Whip out your phone.
Got a notification and need to respond? Whip out your phone.
Got a notification and need to respond but are 10 meters away from your phone? Sprint like hell to your phone...or conversely, wait till you find your way back to your phone.
Got a notification but don't want to obnoxiously check your phone in front of your significant other/friend/coworker/familymemeber/human? Newsflash: You're still being obnoxious when you check your watch/Glass.
Want to change your music? Come on, your phone lockscreen does that in one button touch too.
Want to check your "team's score"? Google Now. NFL app. Lockscreen changers. Etc.
Want to have a watch that works underwater? See above link.
Want to customize your watchband? See above above link.
Want to read it in sunlight? ...
Want to wake up (assuming you charge it at some other time) with it's gentle vibrations? Lots of smartphone apps ( and of course Jawbone Up, Nike Fuel Band, FitBit, etc) do that as well.
Want to know the time? Well...Sure.
I just don't really understand the rationale behind smart-watches [as they currently stand].
[Edit: I've read the below comments and I now understand.]
I agree with the silver watchface with the silver metalic strap looking tacky, but having seen both the silver one and the black ones in person, I can definitely say the black one with the polished black strap looks amazing.
After clicking through I opened Facebook and was served a "suggested story" offering me $15 off a Pebble "Today Only" via retargeting (http://imgur.com/qcH42af).
Clicked through and got this message that the promotion "isn't active." (http://imgur.com/pOt9KsR)
Watches >$20 will always be jewelry first and functionality second. This is a step in the right direction but I think they can do better.
I think we need a round face. Years of watch making tells us its clearly more attractive and what most consumers prefer, and a round display will be more 'revolutionary' then just a tiny smart phone on your wrist.
I was a watchmaker before I started hacking on code and realized it had a better future. Yes, one of those guys with a loupe and tweezers, and even an itty bitty lathe assembling small parts in the back corner of some old shop.
Watches greater than $20 is (hopefully) every single fucking watch in existence. You're deluding yourself if you think that manufacturing costs of these things will become so low you could buy one instead of lunch, and have it work at least until dinner the same day. If you want a quality, but commoditized watch at a bargain price, you'll be looking at $150 to $250, which will last you for 4 or 5 years, and can be serviced when needed. (Isn't this place the same place that bemoans Apple every time a new iPad or MacBook Air comes out on how unserviceable they are?)
Watches over $300 are arguably jewelry (and I'm being very generous here). Watches over $1,000 are starting to become timepieces, and people still pay good money for high quality watches that can last generations. The watch on my wrist right now is has been running constantly for over 10 years old, and has been serviced once (basically an oil change). What other mechanical device have you ever owned that has run constantly for ~5 years and not needed service? Your car can barely go 50 hours of continuous use at 65MPH before it's recommended to change the oil.
And round face? Really? Years (centuries, actually) of watchmaking have given us a round face because watches have always been manufactured on a lathe, which has a habit of producing round objects. Round faces are not "clearly more attractive". In fact, marketing of high end watches suggest that a half convex rectangle (width sides are straight, length sides are convex) is the most attractive watch shape, which is precisely what the Pebble is.
Sorry for the rant, but seriously, $20 is the worst number you could have pulled out of your ass, along with the round shape statement. Listen, I own, and probably dislike the Pebble (as a watch) just as much as anyone else that dislikes it, but your comment here is just completely uneducated and lacks any facts whatsoever.
"Watches >$20 will always be jewelry first and functionality second."
I'll heartily disagree with that. I would eagerly own a pebble, even the ugly plastic models, because it has utility to me. I work a small number of shows per year where I spend a lot of time busy and where my team has to keep coordinated, which we do so using groupme/text messaging, and the value of reducing latency/friction of keeping coordinated is hugely valuable in those circumstances.
Also, I own an altimeter watch which I use for hiking/backpacking. It's perhaps not as useful as the GPS feature in a smartphone (or a GPS handset) but it has the advantage of working even if I'm surrounded by tall trees and it gives me useful data just by looking at it (time, altitude), plus I don't have to worry about the batteries running out. It definitely doesn't look like jewelry.
>Watches >$20 will always be jewelry first and functionality second.
Bullshit. There are so many useful features that can't be packed into a <$20 device, especially not one small enough to fit comfortably on your wrist.
High-precision resonators, wireless time reception, solar power and/or high quality power cells, sensors (temperature, location, direction, biometrics, etc.), utility features (chronograph, alarm, etc) are not "jewelry" features. They are strictly utile.
And, of course, having obvious "computer" capabilities like a relatively high-resolution display and high-bandwidth short-range radio is not aesthetic; it's functional.
I never wear round face watches, they tend to look worse on me than rectangular ones. Either way I don't think the shape of the pebble face will have a huge bearing on its success.
$249 is a lot of money - you're talking the cost of a subsidized high-end phone for something that has less functionality. My intuition tells me smart-watches wont sell in big BIG numbers unless:
- It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers
- It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate, but only costs ~$250 unsubsidized. Perhaps like a flexible iPod touch that wraps around your wrist
If someone can come up with a $200+ wrist-mounted device that sells in the millions but doesn't meet the same level of functionality as a smartphone then I'll gladly eat my Fitbit.
> It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers
Subsidies are non-existent in many european countries, and seem to be (at least somewhat) on the way out in the US. I don't think this is a requirement.
> It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate
... or, it does things a smartphone might but is not convenient at - e.g., an LED light is potentially much more useful on a wrist than on a phone. an NFC device is way more useful on your hand. The second factor (think two factor auth) on your wrist is also way better than reaching out for your mobile.
Specification Clarification: The display is a low-power LCD. Pebble insists on calling it "e-paper" in the specs, likely to make people think it's related to the more advanced e-ink display you'd find in ereaders. It's just a low-power gray-scale LCD that loses image whenever power isn't applied to it. Still a cool product. Just a disingenuous spec listing.
It's still closer to e-paper in look and feel (readable without backlight but backlightable, for instance) than what people associate with the word "LCD screen", which is probably what the marketing/spec is trying to convey.
They have extremely high contrast, I don't think it's fair to compare them to standard LCDs (they aren't e-paper either, but they're far closer to that level of contrast). And their static power consumption is in the microwatts.
Having been an early Kickstarter backer and wearer for some time now I jumped at the opportunity to get the new Steel version (black in my case). The reasons:
- The Pebble has replaced my desire to wear one of my 8 other (yes, I'm one of those people) watches - this really is a case of function over form for those who dislike the look.
- I'm addicted to the notifications - especially of incoming calls and SMS (or at least addicted to the feeling that I didn't miss them)
- My current resin Pebble is already showing signs of wear, the strap holder never really did it's function and the screen is now a swirly mess of fine scratches and buff marks that hopefully the new Corning GorillaGlass will remedy.
Those who make throwaway comments about the need/want for a Pebble watch should really be those who have had the opportunity to wear one for a week or so and see the convenience it brings if you're already tethered to the world by your smart-phone.
I have a Pebble, and I love it. One of the best purchases I have made for the value it adds. I wish that Pebble would come out with a watch design that is more feminine. My wife really wants one, but she thinks the current pebbles are too masculine.
I'm 22 and never wore a watch while growing up, but I've been using a Pebble for about 3 months. I really like it.
It's been most helpful when I'm skiing, biking, or flying RC planes. Checking messages at a glance is awesome. I also use it for navigating music while driving.
Probably the biggest affect of using the Pebble has been having its function as a watch - somewhat ironic. If I forget it, I'm constantly looking at my bare wrist to check the time.
I wanted to see a microphone for Siri/Google Now integration in the next hardware revision. Pebble Steel isn't that impressive to me - but I see where someone might want a fancier Pebble, rather than just a fancier band.
Haha I came here to say just that. Are all 42 of those words above the fold really important enough to be upper case? Literally this entire page is UPPERCASE COPY of different sizes. I'm imagining their designer looks like this:
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_yodqvnVBUBM/TUs3JCu2glI/AAAAAAAAAq...
I was pleasantly surprised to see my Pebble work out that I'd crossed a state border into a timezone with no summertime on a roadtrip over xmas/new-year, within 5 or 10 minutes the time on the Pebble updated to "local time".
Interestingly, not being able to _rely_ on whether or not my technology is going to get things like that right reliably might be worse than requiring manual updates to reset stuff like summertime. I always _knew_ the dumb old clock in the ~20 year old car hadn't changed timezone, I was never quite sure which of the phones, tablets, or laptops we had with us were displaying "local time" - every now and then I'd bump into two showing times an hour apart and be confused for a few seconds while I worked out if the earlier or later time was "correct".
I've had a pebble for about 6 months, never actually had the battery fully die. Once the low battery warning shows up you have at least a day of life left in it. It also seems to get a full charge in < 2 hours and a 30 minute charge seems to last about 3-4 days.
My Fitbit Force is pretty crappy, as a watch anyway, and it gets 7 days. Of course, it charges in (what seems like) a really short time, so it evens out.
[+] [-] tolmasky|12 years ago|reply
Which is exactly what comes to mind for me. I think it really works against what they're going for with the product.
[+] [-] anemitz|12 years ago|reply
If you've ever paid attention to the wrists of the SF hipster crowd vintage digital/calculator watches are common. American Apparel even sells them in store: http://store.americanapparel.net/category/index.jsp?catId=ca...
Intentional or not, the silver watch is a nice throwback while the matte black is distinctly modern IMHO.
[+] [-] NathanthePie|12 years ago|reply
Secondly (call me close-minded) I honestly don't get what use/niche 'Smart Watches' fill.
Got a notification? Whip out your phone.
Got a notification and need to respond? Whip out your phone.
Got a notification and need to respond but are 10 meters away from your phone? Sprint like hell to your phone...or conversely, wait till you find your way back to your phone.
Got a notification but don't want to obnoxiously check your phone in front of your significant other/friend/coworker/familymemeber/human? Newsflash: You're still being obnoxious when you check your watch/Glass.
Want to change your music? Come on, your phone lockscreen does that in one button touch too.
Want to check your "team's score"? Google Now. NFL app. Lockscreen changers. Etc.
Want to personalize your watch? Let me link you to a personalized watch store. http://www.amazon.com/Watches-Mens-Womens-Kids-Accessories/b...
Want to have a watch that works underwater? See above link.
Want to customize your watchband? See above above link.
Want to read it in sunlight? ...
Want to wake up (assuming you charge it at some other time) with it's gentle vibrations? Lots of smartphone apps ( and of course Jawbone Up, Nike Fuel Band, FitBit, etc) do that as well.
Want to know the time? Well...Sure.
I just don't really understand the rationale behind smart-watches [as they currently stand].
[Edit: I've read the below comments and I now understand.]
[+] [-] yurisagalov|12 years ago|reply
The silver one also looks rather decent if you put a better wrist strap on it. For example: http://instagram.com/p/i1r-EyNxSO/
[+] [-] ezrameanshelp|12 years ago|reply
Clicked through and got this message that the promotion "isn't active." (http://imgur.com/pOt9KsR)
Stop burning money, team Pebble. You're welcome.
[+] [-] ezrameanshelp|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] wavesounds|12 years ago|reply
I think we need a round face. Years of watch making tells us its clearly more attractive and what most consumers prefer, and a round display will be more 'revolutionary' then just a tiny smart phone on your wrist.
[+] [-] uxp|12 years ago|reply
Watches greater than $20 is (hopefully) every single fucking watch in existence. You're deluding yourself if you think that manufacturing costs of these things will become so low you could buy one instead of lunch, and have it work at least until dinner the same day. If you want a quality, but commoditized watch at a bargain price, you'll be looking at $150 to $250, which will last you for 4 or 5 years, and can be serviced when needed. (Isn't this place the same place that bemoans Apple every time a new iPad or MacBook Air comes out on how unserviceable they are?)
Watches over $300 are arguably jewelry (and I'm being very generous here). Watches over $1,000 are starting to become timepieces, and people still pay good money for high quality watches that can last generations. The watch on my wrist right now is has been running constantly for over 10 years old, and has been serviced once (basically an oil change). What other mechanical device have you ever owned that has run constantly for ~5 years and not needed service? Your car can barely go 50 hours of continuous use at 65MPH before it's recommended to change the oil.
And round face? Really? Years (centuries, actually) of watchmaking have given us a round face because watches have always been manufactured on a lathe, which has a habit of producing round objects. Round faces are not "clearly more attractive". In fact, marketing of high end watches suggest that a half convex rectangle (width sides are straight, length sides are convex) is the most attractive watch shape, which is precisely what the Pebble is.
Sorry for the rant, but seriously, $20 is the worst number you could have pulled out of your ass, along with the round shape statement. Listen, I own, and probably dislike the Pebble (as a watch) just as much as anyone else that dislikes it, but your comment here is just completely uneducated and lacks any facts whatsoever.
[+] [-] InclinedPlane|12 years ago|reply
I'll heartily disagree with that. I would eagerly own a pebble, even the ugly plastic models, because it has utility to me. I work a small number of shows per year where I spend a lot of time busy and where my team has to keep coordinated, which we do so using groupme/text messaging, and the value of reducing latency/friction of keeping coordinated is hugely valuable in those circumstances.
Also, I own an altimeter watch which I use for hiking/backpacking. It's perhaps not as useful as the GPS feature in a smartphone (or a GPS handset) but it has the advantage of working even if I'm surrounded by tall trees and it gives me useful data just by looking at it (time, altitude), plus I don't have to worry about the batteries running out. It definitely doesn't look like jewelry.
[+] [-] wyager|12 years ago|reply
Bullshit. There are so many useful features that can't be packed into a <$20 device, especially not one small enough to fit comfortably on your wrist.
High-precision resonators, wireless time reception, solar power and/or high quality power cells, sensors (temperature, location, direction, biometrics, etc.), utility features (chronograph, alarm, etc) are not "jewelry" features. They are strictly utile.
And, of course, having obvious "computer" capabilities like a relatively high-resolution display and high-bandwidth short-range radio is not aesthetic; it's functional.
[+] [-] stormcrowsx|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alwaysinshade|12 years ago|reply
- It's a phone, therefore it can be subsidized by the carriers
- It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate, but only costs ~$250 unsubsidized. Perhaps like a flexible iPod touch that wraps around your wrist
If someone can come up with a $200+ wrist-mounted device that sells in the millions but doesn't meet the same level of functionality as a smartphone then I'll gladly eat my Fitbit.
[+] [-] beagle3|12 years ago|reply
Subsidies are non-existent in many european countries, and seem to be (at least somewhat) on the way out in the US. I don't think this is a requirement.
> It almost does everything a smartphone can, including having a lot of screen real-estate
... or, it does things a smartphone might but is not convenient at - e.g., an LED light is potentially much more useful on a wrist than on a phone. an NFC device is way more useful on your hand. The second factor (think two factor auth) on your wrist is also way better than reaching out for your mobile.
[+] [-] grimtrigger|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] JohnTHaller|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] akx|12 years ago|reply
It's still closer to e-paper in look and feel (readable without backlight but backlightable, for instance) than what people associate with the word "LCD screen", which is probably what the marketing/spec is trying to convey.
[+] [-] ksrm|12 years ago|reply
They have extremely high contrast, I don't think it's fair to compare them to standard LCDs (they aren't e-paper either, but they're far closer to that level of contrast). And their static power consumption is in the microwatts.
[+] [-] seriocomic|12 years ago|reply
- The Pebble has replaced my desire to wear one of my 8 other (yes, I'm one of those people) watches - this really is a case of function over form for those who dislike the look.
- I'm addicted to the notifications - especially of incoming calls and SMS (or at least addicted to the feeling that I didn't miss them)
- My current resin Pebble is already showing signs of wear, the strap holder never really did it's function and the screen is now a swirly mess of fine scratches and buff marks that hopefully the new Corning GorillaGlass will remedy.
Those who make throwaway comments about the need/want for a Pebble watch should really be those who have had the opportunity to wear one for a week or so and see the convenience it brings if you're already tethered to the world by your smart-phone.
[+] [-] mrinterweb|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bnzelener|12 years ago|reply
It's been most helpful when I'm skiing, biking, or flying RC planes. Checking messages at a glance is awesome. I also use it for navigating music while driving.
Probably the biggest affect of using the Pebble has been having its function as a watch - somewhat ironic. If I forget it, I'm constantly looking at my bare wrist to check the time.
I wanted to see a microphone for Siri/Google Now integration in the next hardware revision. Pebble Steel isn't that impressive to me - but I see where someone might want a fancier Pebble, rather than just a fancier band.
[+] [-] businessleads|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jffry|12 years ago|reply
Seriously, though, it's kind of tiring to read.
[+] [-] bengotow|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] siphor|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mikro2nd|12 years ago|reply
Because of its privacy settings, this video cannot be played here."
[+] [-] unknown|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] mjallday|12 years ago|reply
I guess you don't have to set the time if it runs out of juice tho?
[+] [-] minimaxir|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bigiain|12 years ago|reply
Interestingly, not being able to _rely_ on whether or not my technology is going to get things like that right reliably might be worse than requiring manual updates to reset stuff like summertime. I always _knew_ the dumb old clock in the ~20 year old car hadn't changed timezone, I was never quite sure which of the phones, tablets, or laptops we had with us were displaying "local time" - every now and then I'd bump into two showing times an hour apart and be confused for a few seconds while I worked out if the earlier or later time was "correct".
[+] [-] stormcrowsx|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Widdershin|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] bmelton|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Kiro|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] egypturnash|12 years ago|reply