Google gives new life to old Pebble Watches with source code release
Even though Pebble watches are no longer made, many people still use them because they last much longer on a single charge than most new smartwatches. For years, the community has worked hard to keep these watches running, but they couldn’t do much without the watch’s original software details. Now, Google has decided to share that software, known as source code, with everyone.
Pebble started back in the early 2010s with watches that had screens that worked like e-paper books – they were easy to see even in bright sunlight and didn’t need much power. This meant Pebble watches could go for a week without charging. They were simple but useful, and people liked them for their straightforward design and battery life. The software was also open, so many developers made apps and custom watch faces for these watches.
However, Pebble didn’t become as popular as big names like Apple or Samsung, and by 2016, it had to sell its tech to Fitbit due to money issues. After that, Fitbit didn’t make new Pebble products, and the original software remained locked away. This made it tough for fans and developers who wanted to keep the watches going or even improve them with new software.
A group called Rebble, made up of Pebble fans, tried to bring the watches back to life but struggled without the original code. Then, Pebble’s old CEO, Eric Migicovsky, convinced Google, who now owned Pebble’s tech after buying Fitbit, to make the source code public. Google agreed, and put it on GitHub, a place where developers share and work on code.
The code release includes almost everything needed to make the Pebble OS work again, like notifications, music controls, and fitness tracking. But some parts, like how the watch connects to phones via Bluetooth, were left out because they’re not theirs to share. So, developers will still have some work to do.
This move by Google could mean new life for these old watches, perhaps even leading to new gadgets using the same old Pebble software. It’s exciting to see such a beloved piece of tech get a new chance, especially since even today, Pebble watches have some advantages over newer models.