Pebble 2, Pebble Time 2 smartwatches and Core device unveiled

Operating experience and fly in the ointment

In terms of assembly, Pebble is a monolithic body that can withstand water pressure of 5 atm. Those. You can swim and shower in the watch, but you shouldn’t dive. The watch is charged via USB. The charging connector resembles a MacBook and connects to the watch using a magnet. It's a small thing, but nice.

The watch strap is kind of flimsy. That's what it seemed to me at first glance. The same can be said about the watch glass - convex and never “gorilla”. It scratches well, and I’m sure that after a year of careless wear, the screen will become matte - a godsend for those nostalgic for old MacBooks.

It’s worth saying right away that Pebble does not support Russian, but it can be added somehow. I didn’t bother to figure out how, and I didn’t want to file a device that retails for almost $300. However, my friend, an Android lover, was able to do this and show me Russian on Pebble.

Pebble Android-style

Pebble has Russian! With a file and such and such...

Pebble also has a backlight - it’s very convenient and works where it’s needed. To turn on the backlight and see the time, you need to hit the clock with your palm or shake your hand.

Me and Pebble are watching the trash comedy RED 2

Equipment

The box, compared to that in the previous version, has changed significantly - now it is flat. Its color depends on the color of the watch itself. In our case, it is a laconic dark design with a minimum of information on the front side. The main advantages of the model are listed on the back of the box in different languages. The delivery set is almost standard. Apart from the documentation hidden at the top of the box, the watch itself, the strap and the wire, you won't find anything else.

You probably already noticed in the photo that a power supply is not supplied with the magnetic wire. You can charge the watch, for example, from your laptop, or use a power supply from a third-party manufacturer. You can connect the wire in any direction. The magnet holds the wire very well.

What does Pebble show besides time?

I am sure that the real power of Pebble is revealed in Android - there you can customize everything “to suit yourself”, and your watch will become a real mission control center. But I have an iPhone, and this is what the watch showed me.

Time

Like Pebble watches at their best. You don't have to choose a watch when purchasing a gadget. You can set any type of watch with date, time, notifications and a bunch of everything. You can probably drill a lunar calendar and tarot cards into them. If not, then someone will definitely come up with it. perfectly visible in the sun and the watch is excellent. Not like some kind of craft on the iPod nano.

Pebble and iPhone app

Mail and SMS

My operator sends me an SMS in Russian to my phone. On Pepple they are unreadable - they are shown as squares. English SMS can be read and done conveniently. To receive email alerts, you need to install the Pebble application on your smartphone and enter your account access details in it. After this, notifications are sent to the watch. Russian is again unreadable. By the way, Pebble likes to vibrate when new notifications arrive. If you have a busy correspondence or a lot of SMS, then soon it will begin to irritate. But it’s better to let it vibrate than not, of course

Telephone

My phone rang—Pebble was vibrating. The phone vibrates in your pocket and the Pebble on your hand. It’s a new feeling for me, I admit. I didn't get used to it in a week. Moreover, if you can press “+” on your phone and the phone will shut up (yes, I don’t like answering numbers I don’t know), then the watch continues to buzz on your wrist, showing the other person how you are ignoring one call after another. Not fun.

With Pebble you can pick up the phone. Why do this is unclear. Here, probably, the answer is the same: “But it’s better to know how to do it than not.” The situation is this: if I just have a phone and a watch, then I will pick up the phone and talk, if I have headphones, then I will press a button on the headphones, if I have bluetooth headphones, then there will definitely be a button to answer calls. Cool feature that is not needed.

In theory, Pebble should transmit the caller's name from the address book. This happened to me a couple of times, but then I only saw numbers. No names. Pebble didn’t scorch me. My book is all in English, so I can’t plead intolerance to the Cyrillic alphabet.

Music

This is where I was happy. The screen shows the title of the song and you can pause or press Back and Forward. I don’t listen to Leps, Splin or Viktor Tsoi, so I didn’t encounter any problems with the Russian language here. I wish the same for you. Everything was as the creator of the watch intended.

Other applications

If you use the IFTTT service, you can set up notifications for almost any service via SMS. Just make the rules and may the force be with you.

However, there are applications that natively support Pebble. One of them is my favorite RunKeeper. It seemed to me that everything else that Pebble can do is just fun for fun’s sake, and sports use is the most important thing:

Here's how it works:

But this configuration didn’t work for me either. I run with a TIMEX GPS watch, but I don’t always take my phone with me. If I ride a bike, then I hang a watch with large numbers on the handlebars and here, too, I don’t need a Pebble. But if you run with a phone, then Pebble is a good choice

Application

The proprietary application has a clear interface, but it never received support for the Russian language. From there you can get to the app store, which, surprisingly for a watch with a monochrome display, has a rich arsenal of different games, watch faces and more.

Through it, you can track data that records your watch throughout the day, manage installed services and applications, and work with notifications.

Pebble and productivity

I can sum up my feelings about productivity with Pebble with one quote from an acquaintance of mine who was chatting with a mutual friend and got a certain feeling from the fact that he also had one of these watches (name changed):

We’re sitting like this with Seryoga, and he’s constantly shooting at his watch every couple of minutes, like he’s in a hurry to get somewhere.

Specifically, when you own a Pebble, be prepared to be bombarded with a barrage of notifications that you may not receive: SMS, E-mail, calls, and other programs that you connect. Honestly, it's not my choice. I also receive notifications from one messenger on my phone, check-ins from nearby friends, and phone calls. Other notifications are boarded tightly inside the iPhone.

Results

Pebble smartwatches are practical, no-frills, and fashionable, ideal for people who need basic functionality. For now, the main drawback is the unreadability of the Cyrillic alphabet, and it will take time and perseverance to partially eliminate it. The main advantage is battery life of about a week. The remaining criteria can be viewed both in a positive and negative light; everyone chooses a device based on personal needs. This particular sample is competitive in its price category.

But your wrists are already busy!

If you're a Google Glass fanatic, keep at it (but train your eyes!), because you may not have room for a Pebble. Already hanging on my wrists:

• watch;
• bracelets from Thailand and San Francisco (dear places to me);
• Jawbone UP bracelet

Those. There's simply no room for Pebble. And while jogging, wearing two watches - my GPS and Pebble - is simply not cool. Wearing them on one hand is also not an option.

And here are user photos from The Verge blog with various customized Pebble:

Pebble is brought to us by iLand

Display

The Pebble 2 display is made using E-Ink technology (144 by 168 pixels), which allows you to keep the screen always on. Thanks to this, you will always remain aware of who wrote to you and whether you missed breaking news from any site.

The display is protected by Gorilla Glass, which rises slightly above the rest of the body. The use of glass in this generation of watches is a good choice. The picture has become more pleasing to the eye. This is also facilitated by a reduced air gap.

In bright sunlight, the Pebble 2 display only becomes more contrasty. In the dark, of course, it will be difficult to see anything, but the built-in backlight helps. Its maximum brightness is enough for comfortable use of the watch in a poorly lit room.

Working hours

The company does not specify the capacity of the built-in battery, but indicates that the watch will work for up to seven days on a single charge. The fully charged Pebble 2 asked to be recharged after five days of use. At this time, I was relatively actively understanding the functionality of the gadget, looking for suitable watch faces, and trying third-party applications.

The actual operating time will largely depend on the frequency of use of the heart rate monitor, the number of notifications, and the operation of background programs. In general, the accessory lasts longer than competitors and this is one of its advantages. Charging uses its own cable with a magnetic connector.

4

ITC.UA rating

Pros: permanently active screen, operating time, price compared to competitors, compact size, ease of operation, presence of a heart rate monitor, protection from moisture, use of standard straps

Cons: the design is not for everyone, lack of localization, Pebble 2 looks simple compared to its competitors

Conclusion: Pebble 2 can hardly be called unequivocally good or bad, because a lot will depend on personal expectations, needs and preferences. On the one hand, they pale in comparison to competitors in metal cases with colorful displays, and rumors about a possible sale to Fitbit raise concerns about the further development of the product. On the other hand, you understand that despite its apparent simplicity, the watch is well suited for working with notifications, controlling music, can easily replace a fitness bracelet, and can even help with sports. The tool can simply remain as such, not cost like another smartphone and simply perform its functions.

Specifications

Design

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of this watch is its appearance. Almost all Pebble Watch users note that in terms of design, the first generation was at least no worse. The square body with very wide frames around the perimeter of the screen (even wider than the Apple Watch) is distinguished only by a stylish metal edging.

Time can be called sporty (especially if a silicone strap is attached), but the authors of Western reviews use the word “toyish” (an adult thing that looks like a toy). And this characteristic is close to the truth: the side keys evoke associations with the beginning of the 2000s, when pseudo-spy watches were in fashion among schoolchildren.

Photo: Madrobots

The 22mm strap connector allows you to play around with the Time design: you can go to any watch store and find a replacement. In any case, it is worth admitting that these smart watches do not look as impressive as the Motorola Moto 360, LG G Watch R or Apple Watch. In terms of ergonomics, everything is different: due to the slightly curved 9.5 millimeter thick case, the Time fits perfectly on the wrist.

Three color options for the watch case are available for sale: white, black and red.