Google releases Pebble Watch source code
Key Highlights:
- Google has made the source code for Pebble watches available on GitHub.
- This release comes over 8 years after Pebble ceased operations in 2016.
- Developers can now create alternative operating systems for existing watches or even build new hardware running Pebble OS.
Pebble Watches: A Legacy of Simplicity and Longevity
While today’s smartwatches often need daily charging, Pebble watches stood out with their impressive week-long battery life. This is one reason why many users continue to cherish their Pebble watches, even years after the brand was discontinued.
Launched in the early 2010s as a Kickstarter success story, Pebble introduced smartwatches that focused on simplicity and usability. Their e-paper-like reflective LCD screens offered always-on displays that worked great in direct sunlight. Combined with minimalist designs, efficient processors, and an open software platform, Pebble watches struck a chord with a wide range of users.
However, despite its innovative designs, Pebble couldn’t compete with tech giants like Apple and Samsung, eventually running out of funding. In 2016, CEO Eric Migicovsky sold Pebble’s intellectual property to Fitbit. Many Pebble employees were hired by Fitbit, but the brand and its software platform were left dormant.
Community Efforts to Keep Pebble Alive
Since Pebble’s closure, the community-led Rebble project has worked tirelessly to keep the devices functional. Rebble’s goal has been to reimplement Pebble’s firmware and preserve its core functionality, but the lack of access to the original source code made their efforts challenging. Without official code, crucial hardware features remained unsupported in the Rebble OS.
Eric Migicovsky, Pebble’s former CEO, also stayed connected to the community’s efforts. Although he no longer owned the source code, he worked to convince Google—which acquired Pebble’s intellectual property through its 2021 acquisition of Fitbit—to release it publicly. To his surprise, Google agreed, and after an internal review, the source code was officially published on GitHub.
What This Means for Developers
The release includes the source code for the operating system and firmware of the original Pebble and Pebble Steel (codename: tintin). This development will make it significantly easier for developers to create alternative operating systems or port existing ones to Pebble devices. They’ll no longer need to reverse-engineer the communication between Pebble OS and the hardware.
Excitingly, this release could also pave the way for new hardware running Pebble OS, something Eric Migicovsky is already exploring.
A Step Forward for a Beloved Brand
Google’s decision to release the source code breathes new life into a brand that many still hold dear. Pebble watches may be nearly a decade old, but their simplicity, battery life, and thoughtful design continue to outshine many modern smartwatches.
With the source code now in the hands of developers, the future of Pebble watches feels more secure—and perhaps even more innovative—than ever.
You can check out the source code on GitHub. Let’s see what the community builds next!
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