SmartWatch sets record on start-up funding site
Electronic paper watch specially designed to work alongside smartphones has gained tremendous support since posting product on funding website Kickstarter
The Pebble is an electronic paper watch designed by a team of electrical and computer engineers. After receiving little interest from Silicon Valley investors, they decided to put their gadget on start-up funding site “Kickstarter” with the goal of raising $100,000 over five weeks. It’s safe to say they reached their goal: in just six days, they’ve raised $3.5 million, making it the most highly funded product in the history of the website. (Editor’s note: At time of publication, the number is now $4.3 million.)
The Pebble SmartWatch has three options to choose from.
“We are the most funded Kickstarter project ever thanks to you!” Pebble’s Rahul Bhagat, wrote Tuesday in a message on Kickstarter. “The Pebble team and I really appreciate your commitment and backing. It’s been an incredible couple of days and we’re amazed at how many people share our vision.”
For those of you unfamiliar with how Kickstarter works, a project developer presents their product on a web page and sets an investment goal and deadline for achieving that much funding. If time expires and the goal has not been met, no money is exchanged.
The Pebble team has been designing SmartWatches for three years now, but this is the most interest they’ve ever received for any of their products.
An excellent job at making it compatible
So, what turns a gadget believed to be worth thousands of dollars into a multi-million dollar idea? One word: compatibility. The reason why the Pebble has taken off is because the gadget was designed to be extremely customizable:
Download different watch faces
The Pebble SmartWatch can change its look with the push of a button.
The Pebble can change its look instantly with the push of a button. It features a brilliant, outdoor-readable electronic-paper display, so as the day goes on, the Pebble wearer can switch the face of the watch to match his or her mood, activity, or outfit.
Works with two of the most popular smartphones on the market
The watch displays easily-readable messages.
The Pebble connects to iPhone and Android smartphones using Bluetooth technology. It does not work with Blackberry, Windows Phone 7, or Palm phones (yet). A silent vibration notifies the wearer to incoming calls, emails, messages, alerts, etc. These notifications can be dismissed with the simple shake of a wrist.
It should be noted that right now only Android users can receive text messages on a Pebble, as the iPhone does not expose this data.
Useful activity apps
The Pebble SmartWatch can be used to display time, distance, and pace.
Cyclists and runners can use the Pebble to display speed, distance, and pace via the GPS on the rider/runner’s smartphone.
Easy music control
The watch offers simple music control.
A music control app allows the Pebble wearer to play, pause, or skip tracks playing on one’s phone.
The watch will even be useful when you’re golfing (golfing!)
The Pebble SmartWatch is presently working on a golfing app, too.
Golfers will certainly enjoy the rangefinder app that the Pebble team is working on with “Freecaddie”: it allows the wearer to view distance to the green on their wrist.
Additional features according to the manufacturer
The Pebble’s rechargeable battery will keep the watch going for about a week; a special USB cable is included to charge it.
The watch fits most 22mm bands and includes a scratch and shatter-resistant lens with anti-glare optical coating. The Pebble is also water resistant; enough to go swimming, run in the rain, take a shower, etc. As a matter of fact, if the wearer is so inclined, he or she can fully submerge their Pebble in water. Right now, the team is just working on getting the gadget’s water resistant certification level settled.
Some quick notes and specs
• Apps are distributed via the Pebble Watch app store and downloaded using Bluetooth
• It features a 144 x 168 pixel, black and white e-paper display
• Download apps and updates via Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR
• 4 buttons allow user to alternate between program options
• Vibrating motor
• 3-axis accelerometer with gesture detection
Outlook
While they’ve already achieved their goal to help fund production, large component orders, and global Bluetooth certification, the team plans to continue to try and raise more money, saying that they will use the additional cash to grow Pebble’s team of six by several more engineers to develop new features for the watch.
Pebble plans to sell the watch for $150 to the general public; those pledging cash on Kickstarter will receive some form of discount for their contribution.
To learn more, check out the Pebble SmartWatch Kickstarter website. ■
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