Google Open-Sources Wear OS: Pebble’s Comeback Strategy

| Updated on January 30, 2025
pebble watch

Exciting news is on the horizon for Pebble enthusiasts, it is expected that the classic smartwatch is set to return. In a conversation with The Verge, the founder of Pebble, Eric Migicovsky revealed that he has successfully persuaded Google to open-source the smartwatch’s operating system. 

 Migicovsky is currently in the initial phase of designing a new watch and is getting ready to relaunch a company whose name is yet to be revealed. Pebble was established in 2012, and it gained popularity through Kickstarter, developing smartwatches with e-ink displays that excelled in simplicity. 

Pebble aims to return with Google Open source Wear OS

These devices could show notifications, had an impressive battery life of 5-7 days, and allowed music control, all because of their Kindle-like screens. They were also budget-friendly and compatible with both iOS and Android platforms. 

In the competitive arena dominated by giants like Google and Apple, Pebble emerged as the underdog. It focused on developing watches that are more like traditional watches but with smart capabilities like smartwatches.

Pebble smartwatches were the perfect option for individuals who wanted to use a watch that had a classic essence. Despite being a leader in the smartwatch space, Pebble could not avoid falling into the trap of venture financing. It tried to scale quickly, which is a common result for many hardware startups. 

Eventually, Pebble had to sell itself to Fitbit for just $23 million, a fraction of the funds it had raised throughout its journey. Fitbit later was acquired by Google as it did not manage to keep pace with Apple in the mainstream market and Garmin in the niche sector. 

The fact that Google has considered Migicovsky’s call to open-source Pebble’s software hints towards a genuine interest in preserving the legacy of this remarkable technology. Migicovsky told The Verge, “For the things I want out of it, like a good e-paper screen, long battery life, good and simple user experience, hackable, there’s just nothing.”

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