Pebble will defend its smartwatch supremacy with new models in 2015, new OS

By Malarie Gokey February 3, 2015

pebble new watch os 1 million sold smartwatch media — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pebble may have started out as a low-profile Kickstarter project, but it remains one of the most popular smartwatches ever made. CEO Eric Migicovsky told the Verge that Pebble has sold more than one million watches as of December 31, 2014, and discussed the company’s plans for the future.

In recent years, more and more companies have jumped into the wearable world with smartwatches, creating stiff competition for Pebble. Nonetheless, Pebble’s long battery life, easy-to-use interface, and compatibility with different mobile operating systems have kept its watches relevant and close to the top of the pile. Still, with Android Wear picking up steam, fitness trackers erupting all over the tech landscape, and the Apple Watch on the horizon, Pebble knows it has to do something big and different if it wants to maintain its position.

Migicovsky stated that Pebble will introduce brand new watches in 2015, as well as a new OS for the devices. “We’ve found a new framework to use as an interaction model on the watch,” he said in the interview, adding that apps will become secondary on the new OS. “It doesn’t look like what we have today, and it doesn’t look like what’s on your smartphone.”

Although he didn’t reveal any details of what else to expect from the new OS, it’s clear that the OS will be altogether different from the current Pebble user interface. Pebble recently hired webOS designers from LG to help build the new platform. The company will likely call upon the 25,000 app developers who’ve contributed to its impressive selection of 6,000 apps and watch faces to build new apps for its upcoming OS.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Mobile Editor, Malarie runs the Mobile and Wearables sections, which cover smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and…

Mobile

New Moto smartwatches will end the wait for more Snapdragon Wear 4100 models

Moto 360 Weather Tile

The next Moto smartwatch will reportedly come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor, according to a road map published as part of an investor presentation from CE Brands, the current holders of the license to make Moto-branded smartwatches. The report states more than one new Moto smartwatch will come later this year -- a Moto G Smartwatch, a Moto One, and a Moto Watch, but we don't know which ones will use the new chip yet.

Several renders of what could be the Moto G watch can be found throughout the investor report, but one, in particular, caught the attention of smartwatch fans on Reddit. The image was sharpened to reveal what appears to be text reading "Snapdragon Wear 4100" around the edge of the case back. The implication is clear, a smartwatch running the Wear 4100 platform should be on the way.

Wearables

Fossil will bring its Gen 5 LTE smartwatch to more carriers and countries soon

fossil gen 5 lte carriers global release 2021 news ces pink wrist

The announcement at CES 2021 of Fossil’s first LTE connected smartwatch was somewhat bittersweet, as the Gen 5 LTE is limited to Verizon subscribers at the moment. That means unless you’re already with the carrier or plan to switch, you’re out of luck if you want the watch. It wasn’t the best news for Fossil fans outside the U.S. either. However, there’s some good news regarding the future of Fossil’s LTE plans.

Fossil confirmed in a conversation with Digital Trends following the announcement of the Gen 5 LTE, that the company’s goal is to add more carrier support and to launch the Gen 5 LTE globally during the first six months of 2021. Additionally, it’s also working on adding the LTE connected functionality to Apple’s iOS too.

Mobile

Skagen’s new hybrid smartwatch has an e-ink screen and mechanical hands

skagen jorn hybrid hr ces 2021 news

Skagen has introduced its first hybrid smartwatch at CES 2021, and it’s very different from hybrids you may have seen before. The Skagen Jorn Hybrid HR is based on the platform launched by Fossil at the end of 2019, meaning it has a low-power e-ink screen in the center of the watch face and underneath mechanical hands. Despite this, the Jorn Hybrid should still return at least two weeks use before the battery needs recharging.

There are two versions of the Jorn Hybrid HR, one with a 42mm stainless steel case and 22mm strap, and the other with a smaller 38mm stainless steel case and an 18mm strap. In total, there are five different case and strap combinations, ranging from a classic steel case and brown leather strap combo, to a gold case and mesh bracelet option.