**Pebble Makes a Comeback—Sort Of**

Do you recall **Pebble**? The brand that once created budget-friendly, feature-rich smartwatches over ten years ago? It ceased operations in late 2016, selling the majority of its assets to **Fitbit**, which was later taken over by **Google** in 2021.

Now, Pebble is staging a comeback—sort of. **Eric Migicovsky**, the brand’s original creator, is bringing the label back with two new **PebbleOS-powered smartwatches** set to debut later this year. However, since Pebble’s intellectual property was transferred, these cannot be marketed as “Pebble” watches. Instead, Migicovsky’s new venture, **Core Devices**, is creating them under the **Core** brand, although they still utilize the open-source **PebbleOS**.

### Presenting the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2

The first variant, the **Core 2 Duo**, is priced at **$149** and bears a close resemblance to the earlier **Pebble 2**. It comes with a **1.26-inch black-and-white e-paper display**, a **polycarbonate frame** (offered in black or white), and **water resistance** (rated **IPX8**). It also offers **step and sleep tracking**. While the original Pebble 2 boasted a **7-day battery life**, the Core 2 Duo makes significant strides with **30 days of battery life**. Additional enhancements include a **speaker, barometer, compass, and more robust buttons**.

The second variant, the **Core Time 2**, features a **larger 1.5-inch e-paper touchscreen** that supports **64 colors**. It has a **metal frame** and will come in **black and white**, along with a possible third color choice. Extra features include **water resistance (IPX8), sleep and step tracking, a microphone and speaker, and a heart rate monitor**.

Both devices are compatible with **existing Pebble apps and watch faces**.

### Release and Compatibility Issues with iPhone

Pre-orders for both models are currently open at **[store.rePebble.com](http://store.rePebble.com)**. The **Core 2 Duo** is scheduled to begin shipping in **July**, while the **Core Time 2** is anticipated to launch in **December**.

Although these new PebbleOS smartwatches are **platform-agnostic**, there’s some disappointing news for **iPhone users**. In a **blog post**, Migicovsky shared that **Apple enforces restrictions** on third-party smartwatches, hindering them from sending **text messages, iMessages, or responding to notifications**. He also noted challenges in allowing **iOS apps** to work seamlessly with Pebble.

In summary, while the new Pebble watches **will function with iPhones**, the experience will be **restricted**. **Android users**, conversely, can anticipate a much more **fluid** experience. Apologies, Apple enthusiasts—if you’re looking for an **e-paper smartwatch**, you may need to make some compromises.