Pebble Smartwatch is Making a Comeback with Open-Source Software

Introduction

The Pebble smartwatch, one of the most beloved wearables of the 2010s, is set to make a surprising comeback. Eric Migicovsky, Pebble’s original founder, has announced plans to revive the brand after Google open-sourced Pebble OS. This means that not only can he develop new Pebble-like devices, but anyone can build smartwatches using the same software.

The Journey: Pebble’s Rise and Fall

Pebble was one of the first smartwatches to gain mass popularity, thanks to its e-paper display, week-long battery life, and simple UI. The company was hugely successful on Kickstarter, raising over $10 million in 2012. However, competition from Apple, Samsung, and Google made survival difficult.

In 2016, Pebble was acquired by Fitbit, which later became part of Google. While existing Pebble smartwatches continued to work with community support from Rebble, the official software was discontinued.

How Pebble is Coming Back

Migicovsky, still a loyal Pebble user, feared his watch would eventually stop working. Instead of creating a smartwatch from scratch, he asked Google to open-source Pebble OS. To his surprise, Google agreed, making the entire Pebble firmware available on GitHub.

Now, Migicovsky is working on a new company (tentatively called "RePebble") to bring back Pebble-inspired devices. His goal is to recreate the original experience, not reinvent it with AI or complex features.

What to Expect from the New Pebble Smartwatch

Migicovsky is not looking to compete with modern smartwatches like the Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch. Instead, he wants to bring back Pebble’s simplicity and practicality.

✅ E-Paper Display – Long battery life and always-on visibility.✅ Minimalist Design – No unnecessary complexity, just notifications, music control, and essential apps.✅ Hackable and Open-Source – Developers can create custom features and integrations.✅ Independent Business Model – No big investors, ensuring sustainable growth.

Challenges & The Future of Pebble

While Pebble’s revival is exciting, there are some challenges:

• Modern smartwatches focus heavily on health and fitness tracking, which Pebble never prioritized.

• Apple and Google tightly control their ecosystems, making it harder for independent wearables to integrate fully.

• Pebble OS needs updates to work with newer smartphones and software platforms.

Despite these hurdles, Pebble’s loyal fanbase and open-source development could help it find its niche once again.

Conclusion

The return of Pebble is not just about nostalgia—it’s about offering an alternative to today’s complex smartwatches. With Google’s support and an open-source community, we could soon see new Pebble-inspired devices hitting the market.

For those who miss the simplicity, durability, and unique charm of Pebble, this could be the perfect smartwatch revival.