Pebble Technology Corporation, a company dedicated to the wearable technology industry, has now announced the release of a new device called “Core”. The product is not a smartwatch but, instead, it’s a gadget that can be defined as a tiny portable Android computer that has the ability to perform determined tasks.
Starting and stopping tracking in fitness activities and mapping runs, as well as listen to music are the main functions of the device, however, it has the possibility to configure the limited amount of buttons to perform some desired actions, such as sending an emergency text, call a cab or check the weather.
Pebble Core
It looks like a small square with rounded edged and it has a headphone jack, as well a Bluetooth signal in order to connect the device to headphones. It also has a Wi-Fi recognition system, GPS, and a 3G modem. In terms of storage, the product initially has 4GB but maybe some future versions will have an increased amount of storage.
Its battery is meant to last at least 9 hours, and the charging process is with a wireless charging pad, the most modern mechanism of chargers in tech devices, although the lifespan of the battery will depend on the use given by the customer in turning on the GPS or not, among other uses that may affect the battery of the device. The Core has the ability to connect with some existing apps in order to receive health data from the user stored in those apps and use it while functioning as a running tracker.
The operating system is Android 5.0, so it is described most as a computer than as a tracking fitness device. The main goal of this product is, according to the makers, to free users of cellphones while running or doing some fitness activity or outdoor training, while providing a range of services in a small and modern product.
The device can fit on a keychain and its prices are around $69. Core for Hackers is another version, that can be programmed by the experienced user to perform different tasks that the initial functions of the device, including linking with other devices like pet trackers or drones.
More Pebble news
Along with Core, two more products are going to be released soon, but this time for the smartwatch series. The Pebble 2 will be an updated version of the original smartwatch created by the company and it will be offered in 5 different colors, to provide options in terms of the fashion on wearable technology.
The Time 2, on the other hand, is the premium version for professionals. A full-color display smartwatch with three different steel finishes available is a most luxury device. This version will have a battery that lasts up to 10 days. Both watches feature the newest version of Pebble’s services for health-care and fitness tracking, as well as a water-proof feature in the hardware.
Significant changes are mostly derived from customers’ reviews of the older version, like the increase in the quality of the smartwatch screen, making the display 53 percent larger. The ends of the product were also updated, using more quality products and more sophisticated finishes to accomplish a more deluxe look.
In terms of software, the new Pebble will display notifications and will make available to the user to interact with some, using smart actions in the device. Something interesting that makes a difference between Pebble’s and other smartwatches in the market is that the notifications received in the device are not the smartphone regular notifications but a specific timeline for the smartwatch, selected previously by the user. In that sense, the customer can decide whether to receive notifications during their day coming directly from the phone or choose a different content for this particular device.
The smart actions in the Pebble are somehow different as well. The goal is to provide a simple experience to the user, by not offering thousand of options that usually require continuous interaction with the device but instead, a simple mechanism to activate or initiate simple tasks. For example, clicking the external buttons to send a simple text, instead of creating long messages for different receivers.
Both smartwatches received $1 million in the Kickstarter platform where they were first announced.
The company works with the ideal of simplicity and the user’s experience as the main guideline to create or provide updates.
Source: CNBC