The Revival of Pebble's Round Smartwatch

Renowned for its innovative approach to wearable technology, Pebble is reintroducing its iconic circular smartwatch, the Time Round, over a decade post its original debut. The updated version, Pebble Round 2, presents significant advancements, including a more extensive battery life and a 1.3-inch touchscreen display that does away with the bulky bezel of the original's smaller screen.

Enhanced Features and Compatibility

The Pebble Round 2 is designed to seamlessly integrate with both iOS and Android platforms and is available for preorder at a cost of $199. Anticipation grows as shipping is expected to commence in May. This revival marks another chapter for Pebble's rejuvenation, spearheaded by founder Eric Migicovsky under his new venture, Core Devices.

Technological Advancements

Previously, the original round-faced model could sustain two days of use per charge, but the Pebble Round 2 impresses with a battery life extending to two weeks. Its 260 x 260 color e-paper display provides double the pixel density and extends over the full face of the watch. Notably, dual microphones now facilitate voice commands for interacting with AI and responding to messages—currently exclusive to Android, with iOS compatibility anticipated for European markets soon.

Design and Customization

Crafted with a robust stainless steel frame, the Pebble Round 2 is offered in elegant shades of black, silver, and rose gold. It supports two strap sizes—14mm for rose gold and 20mm for black, along with both sizes for silver—to cater to diverse style preferences. Core Devices plans to offer a variety of additional band options, including leather, to further personalize the accessory.

Intended Use and Functionality

While capable of fundamental health and activity monitoring, such as steps and sleep, the Pebble Round 2 is not engineered as a specialized fitness or sports device. It incorporates an accelerometer and magnetometer, appealing to classic Pebble enthusiasts and those desiring a straightforward smartwatch. Nonetheless, it's not designed to replace high-performance devices like Garmin's offerings.