Pebble Smart Watch Review
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Design
We’ve seen a number of smart watch offerings from both startups and major players, but what makes Pebble stand out is its simplicity. Especially in black, Pebble is understated to the point that nobody even notices it until you start reading an email or a text. Even then, Pebble has garnered very little unsolicited attention in our week with the unit. This is a testament to the Pebble design team, who realized that if you’re going to conquer the smart watch then you need to have something people will actually wear on their wrist.
Pebble is a simple rectangle, with three buttons on the right and one on the left. The buttons are slightly stiffer than you’d expect, but not uncomfortable and the stiffness prevents accidental presses. It is charged via two POGO pins on the left hand side. Pebble ships with a simple rubber watch strap, although that can be swapped for any 22mm strap on the market. We tried a few different styles, but ultimately decided the original strap was good enough.
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Pebble is a simple rectangle, with three buttons on the right and one on the left | ||
The face of Pebble is a 144x168 e-paper display, which can be housed in black, red, white, orange or grey. The black and white display is easily readable in direct light thanks to the e-paper technology (same as you’d find in a Kindle or Nook), and in dark rooms you can simply flick your wrist to activate the backlight. You’re not going to be watching video or browsing the web on Pebble, but the technology is perfect for getting notifications on your wrist.
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The face of Pebble is a 144x168 e-paper display | ||
The plastic housing is scratch and shatter resistant, with an optical anti-glare coating that ensures readability in harsh light. It is also waterproof to 5 ATM, allowing for use in the shower or in the swimming pool. While it is certified for fresh and salt water, it is not a diver’s watch and you probably shouldn’t wear it in the bath tub either. This is a watch made to be worn every day, and something you don’t have to worry about when washing your hands or getting caught out in the rain.
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Pebble is a little long and a little thick, but very light and on our wrist it was ultimately comfortable to wear. If you have a more petite wrist Pebble might not be the right watch for you, a feature that will turn off many potential female users. In the realm of smart watches Pebble is downright sleek, but we hope that they can shrink future generations while not sacrificing display size.
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Pebble is a little long and a little thick, but very light and on our wrist it was ultimately comfortable to wear | ||
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22 Comments
12. nak1017 posted on 05 Mar 2013, 10:23 1 0
I've had both and it really comes down to comfort and preference.
Personally, the Pebble fits my wrist better and is just easier to live with day to day. Sony's software is clinky by comparison too... the Pebble might be simpler, but utilitarian isn't always a bad thing.
3. fanboy1974 posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:03 5 1
This needs to have a built in speaker and mic so that I can answer a call while having sex. I don't want to hunt for my Note 2 during action time.
9. rusticguy posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:54 3 0
So while you are on bed does it run in Stop watch mode :D :D
24. Jack58221 posted on 09 Mar 2013, 18:08 1 0
accelerometer and stopwatch will let you know that you were physically active for 18 seconds today and burned x number of calories.
4. Nathan_ingx posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:09 0 1
Benchmark scores please :D
But will you look at the cons?
Connectivity issues at times
Siri compatibility problems
Probably too large for smaller wrists
Promised functionality isn’t available
yet.
All the basic things this smartwatch is supposed to do is null...and it still gets an 8???
6. Captain_Doug posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:35 4 0
It does do the basics. Too large is relative. Siri Compatibility, who uses Siri? Connectivity issues, probably not common, might be though. Promised functionality not being available is a bummer but when you look at the other semi-cons, 8 make sense.
5. BattleBrat posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:18 0 0
I got one through kickstarter, sold it on eBay for $300 (I needed money for my Surface Pro's Warranty)
7. buccob posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:46 0 0
This needs to be solar and kinetic powered... the proprietary connection is a big CON.
And as other said. A mic, and tiny speaker would be great.
11. McLTE posted on 05 Mar 2013, 10:08 0 0
Tiny speakers would NOT be great. I don't want to be around a bunch of Pebble users who are all on "speaker" trying to use their devices.
A mic could be helpful however and a good way to use hands free typing when responding to texts.
13. buccob posted on 05 Mar 2013, 11:03 0 0
Correct... I agree.... but given that choice is always better than imposition... a speaker of some kind, even if its just for a sound notification would be nice.
14. McLTE posted on 05 Mar 2013, 13:31 0 0
True, though I'd rather have a waterproof watch than add the speakers and mic and lose that.
25. Jack58221 posted on 09 Mar 2013, 18:12 0 0
no Mic, no speakers. go water tight with Bluetooth.
8. KingKurogiii posted on 05 Mar 2013, 09:47 0 0
i had already planned on getting one of these.
15. N-fanboy posted on 05 Mar 2013, 13:34 0 0
Very sexy, but haven't bought a watch since i was...12, thats when i got my Nokia 6300
16. JunitoNH posted on 05 Mar 2013, 14:43 0 0
I'll wait for the second or third iteration. Not feeling the design, in addition I have seen it on a person wrist. Is difinitely not, visually, aesthetically pleasing, and for $150 should meet all the aforementioned.
17. khairy-j posted on 05 Mar 2013, 17:17 0 0
Hi pa how abt u review this watch imsmart.com
Then any advise if i want to find gps tracker for kids 3 yrs n above
28. TinCity posted on 07 May 2013, 10:37 0 0
Just picked up this watch at Amazon and got a great deal on a used one. I'm so excited that I would like to share the discount that I received with anyone who is looking to get this awesome smart watch: topdiscountfinder.com/?s=Pebble+E-Paper+Watch - Wow, they don't have many left.
