Wearable tech is the talk of CES 2014. And once again, Pebble is a big part of the discussion.
Introducing the Pebble Steel. Debuted at CES in Las Vegas, this smartwatch is the latest from the company. It features a stainless steel shell and tougher Gorilla Glass. Both features make it more watch-like.
The Pebble Steel marks the first upgrade the company has made since its record-setting debut on Kickstarter. The original Pebble is still Kickstarter’s most funded project, receiving more than $10 million.
With more than 300,000 units sold, it’s safe to call the first watch a hit. But Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky told The Verge, round one was missing something. (Via Pebble)
“But we got people who said, you know, ‘I love it, but I’m just not going to be able to put it one when I got out for dinner or at the office.’”
A complaint Migicovsky hopes to answer with Pebble Steel. A reporter for CNET says, success.
“It actually looks like a regular analog watch. It’ll be interesting to see how many people can spot that it’s digital.”
But a reporter for The Wall Street Journal disagrees.
“Yet my first impression, it still doesn’t feel like a very high quality watch.”
And that could be a problem because Pebble Steel comes with a higher quality price tag, $250. A reporter for ReadWrite adds –
“Considering one of Pebble's main differentiating characteristics is its affordability amid the growing $300+ competition, it will be interesting to see how would-be customers receive this new model.”
Should customers click in, it will be for style. A shorter, slimmer design might add to Pebble Steel's attractiveness. But Time says –
“...much remains unchanged, including the power-efficient monochrome E Ink screen, pushbutton controls, water-resistant case, ability to work with iPhones and Android phones, and run apps from Pebble and other companies.”
Of course, those are about to get an upgrade on both Pebble devices. The company is launching its own app store at the end of this month, as well as version 2.0 of the OS.
Pebble will also start shipping the Steel at the end of the month. It will be available on the company’s website.
