Why I Love the Pebble 2 Duo Smartwatch
▼ Summary
– Modern smartwatches are heavily marketed as advanced health and fitness gadgets, but the author desires a simpler device focused on time, notifications, and daily task assistance.
– The Pebble 2 Duo is a revived, minimalist smartwatch with an always-on E Ink display, month-long battery life, basic notifications, and very limited fitness tracking.
– The watch is a near-replica of the 2016 Pebble 2, launched by the original founder’s new company after Google open-sourced the Pebble operating system.
– The reviewer finds the Pebble 2 Duo excels as a straightforward watch and notification tool but notes its limited interactivity, slow screen, and stronger integration with Android phones.
– While inadequate for serious health tracking, the Pebble offers a distinct, less intrusive smartwatch experience, with a more advanced model (Time 2) announced for the future.
For many, the modern smartwatch is synonymous with advanced health monitoring, but the Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch carves out a different niche by focusing on simplicity and utility. This device prioritizes being a helpful companion over a complex fitness gadget, offering a straightforward experience centered on notifications, battery life, and telling the time.
My ideal wearable isn’t a miniaturized medical device. I want a watch that tells the time reliably, delivers important alerts, and handles small tasks so I can leave my phone in my pocket. A basic step counter and a silent wrist alarm are plenty for my needs. The Pebble 2 Duo, priced at $149, comes remarkably close to this vision. Its always-on E Ink display shows the time constantly, the battery lasts for weeks, and it provides granular control over notifications. It’s thin, light, and handles basic fitness tracking. While it lacks the polish of pricier competitors and isn’t the most stylish device, its focused functionality is a refreshing change.
The Pebble name carries history. The original company was a smartwatch pioneer, launching via a record-breaking Kickstarter in 2012 before being acquired and eventually fading away. Founder Eric Migicovsky never lost his passion, and after securing the rights to open-source the software, he founded Core Devices to revive the hardware. The goal wasn’t to create a futuristic reboot but to simply make more Pebbles.
This revival model is nearly identical to the 2016 Pebble 2, even utilizing some original parts. It features the same 1.2-inch black-and-white e-paper screen housed in a chunky polycarbonate case with a distinct retro-tech aesthetic. The look isn’t for everyone, but the ability to swap the included silicone band for any standard 22mm strap offers personalization. A new hardware addition is a small speaker, but it’s not yet functional. The microphone allows for voice-to-text replies on Android and commands to AI via an app, but iOS limitations apply. Other tweaks include sturdier side buttons and modern, efficient Bluetooth chips that contribute to the impressive battery life, Core claims 30 days, with my experience closer to three weeks.
After using the 2 Duo, its strengths are clear. It excels as a timepiece, with a legible screen in all lighting and thousands of customizable watch faces. Setting alarms and timers is simple. The Timeline view, a scrollable list of calendar events, is a brilliantly useful feature for daily navigation. Notification management is excellent, allowing you to filter alerts app-by-app. I receive buzzes only for crucial texts and calls, and I can answer calls or control media playback directly from the watch, a convenience I use constantly.
Setup and management happen through the Pebble companion app. Android integration is deeper, but iOS functionality is sufficient for the core experience. While the Pebble Store is packed with apps, I found myself using very few beyond a basic step tracker. The device isn’t designed for extensive interaction; navigating with the buttons can be slow, and the screen isn’t snappy. It shines instead as a quick, glanceable information tool.
This pared-down approach is precisely the appeal. Compared to feature-packed watches from Apple or Garmin, the Pebble 2 Duo is less ambitious and less attractive. Yet, for those who don’t need deep health analytics, its focus on daily assistance is perfect. It offers just enough for casual users: a workout app that attempts auto-detection and sleep tracking apps like Morpheuz, which includes a smart alarm. Serious fitness enthusiasts should look elsewhere, but these tools meet my modest requirements.
I purchased the 2 Duo to get an early unit, but if you’re considering a Pebble, it may be worth waiting for the upcoming Time 2 model. Priced at $225, it promises meaningful upgrades like a color touchscreen, heart rate monitor, and a steel case. Regardless of the model, the return of the Pebble philosophy is welcome. In a market obsessed with biometrics, the Pebble 2 Duo succeeds by feeling like a watch first, one that’s simply a little smarter.
(Source: The Verge)
