Pebble Core debuts as 3G-connected fitness wearble (with big hacking potential)

Pebble's latest wearables just debuted today, and while both the Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 are some solid-looking upgrades over their predecessors, they're not the only devices Pebble is introducing. In addition to those two full-blown smartwatches, Pebble is also launching the compact Core module, a clip-on, cell-connected activity tracker.

Unlike one of Pebble's smartwatches, the Core has no display of its own. Instead, it's a tiny Android 5.0-powered wearable with 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity, GPS reception, and 4GB of internal storage. You can use that space to listen to tunes over wired or Bluetooth headphones, or stream Spotify with its cellular radio.

If you also have a Pebble watch, Core can interface with it and use its location data to add to your activity stats.

Pebble says users can expect about five-and-a-half hours of use with Core's GPS turned on and your headphones pumping out tunes, or about a week's worth of workouts. It recharges over either USB or with the help of an optional wireless charging pad.

Other features include a microphone for recording voice notes, and a programmable button that can be used for things like an emergency alert - just tap to send a distress SMS.

If running's not your thing, Pebble's also positioning the Core as a platform for hackers, taking advantage of its Android guts, low cost, and attractive connectivity options to develop new uses for the wearable. And that hardware button lets devs come up with new one-press behaviors they can build into their own apps.

Pebble Core is going for just under $70 during Kickstarter's early-bird pricing, and will ship in January of next year.


source: Pebble (Kickstarter)