{"id":161884,"date":"2025-03-19T14:25:24","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T14:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/?p=161884"},"modified":"2025-03-19T14:31:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T14:31:46","slug":"pebble-is-back-introducing-two-open-source-smartwatches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/pebble-is-back-introducing-two-open-source-smartwatches\/","title":{"rendered":"Pebble is Back: Introducing Two Open-Source Smartwatches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At the end of January, we shared some exciting news<\/a>: after spending nine years in obscurity, the iconic Pebble smartwatches were on the verge of making a comeback. But guess what? Things just got even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The folks at rePebble have just unveiled Core 2 Duo<\/strong> and Core Time 2<\/strong>, two brand-new devices running an open-source PebbleOS. These watches promise a healthy dose of nostalgia\u2014featuring that iconic e-paper always-on display and reliable physical buttons\u2014while delivering modern conveniences like improved battery life, speaker functionality, and broader app compatibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 run the open-source version of PebbleOS<\/strong>, which retains many of the classic Pebble functions, including notifications, watchfaces, alarms, timers, and simple fitness tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to rePebble, most of the 10,000+ Pebble apps and watchfaces will work right out of the box. However, a few may require updates to accommodate the new hardware, especially on the larger display of the Core Time 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, rePebble is preparing a fresh companion app for iPhone and Android, with a team of former Pebble veterans collaborating on its development. Since the entire operating system is open-source, coding enthusiasts are encouraged to share ideas, report bugs, or contribute to firmware enhancements on GitHub<\/a> and Discord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core 2 Duo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Described as a direct \u201cdo-over\u201d of the beloved Pebble 2, the Core 2 Duo resembles the classic model but with significant hardware upgrades. It sports an ultra-crisp 1.26-inch black-and-white e-paper display<\/strong>, a lightweight polycarbonate frame, and water resistance (targeting IPX8).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Core<\/a>
Core 2 Duo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps most notably, it boasts a 30-day battery life<\/strong>, a massive jump from the original Pebble 2\u2019s single-week span.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, this watch features an upgraded Nordic nRF52840 BLE chip, a more reliable linear resonance actuator (for quieter and more powerful vibrations), and a microphone-and-speaker combo to facilitate voice-based apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core 2 Duo is scheduled to start shipping in July<\/strong> at a price of $149<\/strong>. According to rePebble, the only way to secure one is via pre-order\u2014they will not be available in stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Core Time 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While Core 2 Duo aims to satisfy fans of the smaller Pebble 2 form factor, the new Core Time 2 goes after those craving a larger, more colorful display and a premium aesthetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Core<\/a>
Core Time 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Scheduled for a December<\/strong> release at $225<\/strong>, this model includes a 1.5-inch, 64-color e-paper display<\/strong>\u2014the same size the long-rumored Pebble Time 2 would have offered. Notably, Core Time 2 also features a touchscreen<\/strong>, metal frame and buttons, and an estimated 30-day battery life<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Furthermore, its sensor lineup includes a heart rate monitor<\/strong>, plus the usual accelerometer, barometer, and compass. The creators note they have been working on \u201ccomplications\u201d reminiscent of those on the Apple Watch, enabling quick access to real-time data (like weather or calendar updates) by simply tapping on the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who love tinkering with software, the open-source PebbleOS allows developers to customize watchfaces and apps or adapt the myriad of apps already available for older Pebble devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Pre-Order<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

rePebble advises enthusiasts to act swiftly if they plan on snagging either of these new watches. The Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 will be manufactured in limited quantities, largely due to finite supplies of essential display components.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recommended route is pre-ordering on store.repebble.com<\/a> since they will not<\/strong> be sold in retail outlets. Fortunately, rePebble promises a flexible refund policy, allowing those who change their minds to receive a full refund any time before the watch ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, see the announcement<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The new open-source PebbleOS smartwatches, Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, bring back e-paper screens, long battery life, and classic design.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":161887,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,5],"tags":[4128],"class_list":["post-161884","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hardware","category-news","tag-smartwatch"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161884\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/161887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/linuxiac.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}