Pebble Brand Revived as Core Devices Unveils $225 Time 2 Smartwatch

Core Devices chief executive Eric Migicovsky on 13 August unveiled the Pebble Time 2, marking the formal return of the Pebble smartwatch brand he founded more than a decade ago and later sold. The company recently reacquired the Pebble trademark, allowing it to drop the interim “Core” branding used during development. The Pebble Time 2 features a 1.5-inch, 64-colour e-paper touchscreen, multicolour RGB backlighting, and a stainless-steel case, back and buttons. New hardware additions include a second microphone, a compass sensor and a screw-mounted back cover. Core Devices claims up to 30 days of battery life; the watch weighs about 48 grams with its standard 22 mm quick-release strap and will be offered in four colours yet to be finalised. Pre-orders are open at $225, with shipments targeted for December. Customers who previously reserved the lower-priced Pebble 2 Duo will be able to shift their orders through a forthcoming survey, the company said. The relaunch positions Pebble in a market dominated by Apple and Samsung, betting that an ultra-long battery life and minimalist design will attract users looking for an alternative to feature-heavy wearables.