Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel both launched earlier this year to mixed reviews, and now the company behind two of the most-funded Kickstarter projects ever is at it again. Today, Pebble is launching the Pebble Time Round, its first circular smartwatch…
“Rose Gold” Pebble Time Round with a white leather band
For the most part, this thing is just a Pebble Time with a new — notably much more attractive — look. All of the previous square watch’s functionality, and even its obnoxiously large bezels necessary for its accompanying color e-paper display, are here. Above everything else, Pebble is really selling the claims that, at 7.5mm thin and 28 grams, this device is lighter and thinner than any other smartwatch on the market.
Pebble says that you can grab the Pebble Time Round in two sizes — 20mm or 14mm — and that you’ll also be able to pick between three different finishes to match your preference. You’ll be able to get the watch in black, silver, and a special-edition “Rose Gold” that will only be available at the 14mm band size. You can also pick from a selection of leather bands when the watch launches.
Thankfully, there’s no Kickstarter campaign in sight this time around. Rather, as a company the size of this one should, Pebble will be offering up the Pebble Time Round for pre-order starting today on its website with shipping starting in November. Additionally, backers of the Pebble Time Steel are being offered a chance to grab the Pebble Time Round at a $50 discount.
The Pebble Time Round will be compatible with iOS devices, as well as those running Android. We’ll be getting our hands on the Pebble Time as soon as we can, so keep your eyes peeled for our full review.
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Well, that was a surprise! Nice. Tempting…
Yes, there are nice. Probably the only smartwatches besides Apple’s that are not full on tacky. The designers know their market and these are casual, nice and do not pretend to be anything they are not. Great job!
No thank you – Looks to “fashionable” for me.
YMMV!
*too
LOL looking at these pieces, I am reminded of a Nancy Wilson song which has this in the lyrics…..you’d better face it girl, give me the strength I need to take it, you’d better face it girl…..it’s OVER!
Yet another “me-too” effort. Circular displays simply do not make sense on a smart watch… the graphics context is still rectangular, and you’re just wasting valuable space by hiding the corners. You’re also creating an awkward experience for your developers, and what’s awkward for the developer will ultimately be awkward for the end user. You had it right the first time, Pebble.
Apple will release a round smartwatch within a few years and you my friend will be eating your words. Not everyone likes rectangular watches.
That’s true, and if it were a watch, I’d agree with you, but it’s not. It’s a wrist computer. There’s no reason (other than past fashion) for it to be round, and a circular Apple Watch would be inferior to its rectangular brother in virtually every way (usability, battery life, etc).
Now, it’s entirely possible that Apple could come up with an SDK that makes killer use of a round context and removes the awkwardness it presents, but I just don’t see it in the cards. Jony Ive is big on letting the parts of the device be “true to themselves,” and the fact that there’s a computer in there demands that the screen be rectangular.
Good God, kill it with fire!
Ugly. I will not consider wearing it even if it was free.
First, I have to commend Pebble for taking the plunge and putting out a device that really started the ball rolling mainstream. Having to now compete with Apple, Samsung Google and LG is no easy task and I’m sure they are going 24 hours a day to keep pushing out a product to get customers on board.
However, when it comes to the design and materials of the Pebble watches, I just don’t like them. I think they look cheap and not well thought out. Looking at one of them makes you think they were developed by someone in China pushing out a product to make a few dollars.
The Pebble Steel was so close to being a great looking watch except the the e-ink display was so small it made the watch useless to most people. That is the one watch that had they really could of done something with. The font and design of the software, is another drawback of the Pebble, I just find it very unappealing and not in anyway close to a style that the general public would want to use.
All of that being said, I wish Pebble the best of luck and hope they continue to push out products, I just wish they would hire some designers who would bring some class and elegance to their watch product.
These are cute! Kudos to Pebble. Even though I have argued the strength of the square face strongly, I have to admit this design language fits Pebble much nicer. I can see adaptation to these much more than any of their other ones and even android wear. These are the nicest ones besides Apple’s out there period.
It doesn’t look bad but when there’s something on the screen, it kills it and it’s ugly. I’m not sure about the usability because of the tiny round display.
Dat bezel though. If that screen stretched to the end of the watch it would be gorgeous. But…it still has an insane bezel.
This is no doubt a square screen in a round outer bezel.
come on, die already… you could not sell it to a blind person
Awful as always by Pebble.WHAT ARE THESE BEZELS?!