Pebble, makers of what is arguably the first mass-marketed smartwatch for Android and iOS platforms, have released the next version of their Android app in beta, and it adds a pretty cool new feature to the platform. As of version 2.3, Pebble users can now act and reply on notifications direct from their watches, just as Android Wear users can.
Want to reply to a Hangout? You can … admittedly, you can’t do it by voice recognition, but canned responses are possible. This all works by using existing Wear-integrated apps, so developers have nothing to do to take advantage of these new features; if their app supports Wear, it’ll work with the new Pebble app. Take a look at this video below on replying to a Hangout with your Pebble:
Are you a Pebble or Pebble Steel user? If so, this is likely to greatly extend the usability, functionality and longevity of your watch. Signing up for the new version (as it’s in beta for the moment) is simple – join Pebble’s Beta Testing Group and the new version will be available to you, via the Play Store, within a short while. With the new app installed, you’ll also be prompted to update your Pebble to version 2.9 of the firmware, which will be guided within the app itself.
There are, of course, other features in the 2.30 release that users may appreciate, such as support for any Android 4.0+ device (previously, Android 4.3 or higher was required), automatic updates for watch apps and faces, and the usual big fixes and stability improvements.
If you’ve got a Pebble and try this out, let us know what you think. We’re keen to hear from you!
Seems like a good compromise.
I get the feeling they are responding to the threat of Wear (and whatever clone apple comes up with) by embracing what they can. I think Pebble 2 (due 1H 2015?) will add the speech element, and maybe a reflective colour display – whilst keeping the long battery life and sane price.
How long before someone snaps them up to bolster their own watch efforts?