PebbleOS is Back: Eric Migicovsky, the visionary behind Pebble smartwatches, is back with two exciting new releases—Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2—under his new company, Core Devices. Powered by PebbleOS, which Google open-sourced in January 2025, these watches embrace the original Pebble DNA with modern upgrades. For long-time Pebble enthusiasts and new smartwatch users alike, this marks a revival of one of the most beloved wearable ecosystems.
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Core 2 Duo: The Pebble 2 Reborn
A true successor to the Pebble 2, the Core 2 Duo revives its iconic design with advanced features. It retains the simple, functional aesthetic of the Pebble line while integrating powerful hardware upgrades that bring it into the modern smartwatch era.
Design & Display
The Core 2 Duo features a 1.26-inch ultra-crisp black-and-white e-paper display that offers excellent readability in all lighting conditions. Unlike traditional OLED or LCD screens, e-paper technology allows for an always-on display without significant battery drain, making it perfect for those who prefer efficiency over flashy graphics.
Battery Life & Performance
One of the standout features of the Core 2 Duo is its massive 30-day battery life, a huge leap from the Pebble 2’s 7-day battery. This extended longevity is powered by a Nordic nRF52840 BLE chip, which offers efficient power management and connectivity.
Key Features:
✅ Ultra-crisp e-paper display (1.26” black & white)
✅ 10,000+ Pebble apps & watch faces
✅ IPX8 water-resistant, lightweight polycarbonate frame (Black/White)
✅ Microphone, speaker, step & sleep tracking
✅ Barometer, compass, standard 22mm strap
✅ Nordic nRF52840 BLE chip, linear resonance actuator (quieter & stronger)
✅ 30% longer-lasting buttons
Functionality & Smart Features
Core 2 Duo carries forward the best features of the Pebble ecosystem, allowing users to install over 10,000+ apps and watch faces. It supports basic health tracking, including step counting and sleep monitoring, and offers a built-in microphone and speaker for voice interactions.
The watch also introduces a linear resonance actuator, replacing the traditional vibrating motor with a quieter yet more powerful haptic feedback system. This ensures that alerts and notifications are more noticeable without being disruptive.
Core Time 2: The Ultimate Pebble Successor
Dubbed Migicovsky’s dream watch, the Core Time 2 is everything the Pebble Time 2 aimed to be—and more. It builds on the legacy of the Pebble Time series, offering a refined design and an expanded feature set that will excite both tech enthusiasts and casual users.
Design & Display
The Core Time 2 features a 1.5-inch 64-color e-paper display that’s 53% larger with 88% more pixels than its predecessor. This means crisper text, more detailed watch faces, and improved readability. Unlike traditional color LCDs, e-paper technology ensures that the display remains highly visible in bright sunlight, making it an excellent choice for outdoor use.
Durability & Build
Migicovsky and his team have opted for a metal frame and buttons, likely CNC-milled aluminum, available in black, white, and possibly a third color. A flat glass lens replaces the curved lens of the original Pebble Time series, reducing glare and making the display easier to read in direct light.
Key Features:
✅ 1.5” 64-color e-paper display (200×228 resolution)
✅ 10,000+ Pebble apps & watch faces
✅ Metal frame & buttons (Black/White + possible third color)
✅ 30-day battery life (estimated)
✅ Flat glass lens for reduced glare
✅ Touchscreen, heart rate monitor, microphone & speaker
✅ IPX8 water-resistant, step & sleep tracking
✅ Linear resonance actuator for better haptic feedback
✅ Standard 22mm strap
Enhanced Features for Fitness & Productivity
Unlike the Core 2 Duo, the Core Time 2 introduces a heart rate monitor, making it a better option for fitness tracking. It retains all the classic Pebble features, such as timeline notifications, music control, alarms, and timers, but expands its functionality with a touchscreen for a more intuitive user experience.
The inclusion of a speaker and microphone enables voice interactions, making it easier to send quick replies, take calls, or use voice commands without needing to reach for your phone.
PebbleOS & Compatibility
Both watches run open-source PebbleOS, supporting essential smartwatch functions like notifications, alarms, fitness tracking, and music control. Over 10,000 existing Pebble apps work seamlessly, though some may need updates. PebbleOS ensures that long-time Pebble users can continue using their favorite apps while allowing developers to build new applications for the ecosystem.
A new companion app for Android and iOS is in development, led by former Pebble engineers, along with an updated SDK for developers to create new PebbleOS apps. The open-source nature of PebbleOS means that the developer community can actively contribute to its growth and improvement.
Development & Release Updates
The Core 2 Duo is in advanced testing, with working prototypes already in use. PebbleOS has been successfully compiled for the new architecture, and firmware development is fully open-source on GitHub and Discord. Migicovsky even self-funded development before PebbleOS was officially open-sourced, with support from a supplier holding leftover Pebble 2 components.
Open-Source Development & Community Involvement
One of the most exciting aspects of the Core Devices project is its open-source approach. All firmware and software development is available on GitHub, allowing developers and enthusiasts to contribute, test, and refine the software. This aligns with the original Pebble ethos of a community-driven smartwatch experience.
Additionally, the Core Time 2’s larger display means that some older Pebble apps may appear with a border until they are updated to take full advantage of the extra screen space. The Pebble developer community is already working on optimizing these apps for the new hardware.
A Personal Investment in the Future of Smartwatches
Eric Migicovsky has always been deeply passionate about the Pebble brand and what it represents. By personally taking the financial risk to restart development—before PebbleOS was even open-sourced—he has shown a strong commitment to delivering a smartwatch experience that prioritizes functionality, longevity, and user choice over fleeting trends in the wearable market.
Why This Matters
For many, Pebble was more than just a smartwatch—it was a movement. It represented an alternative to the locked-down, short-lived wearables that dominate the industry today. With Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, Migicovsky and his team are giving Pebble fans a second chance to enjoy the simplicity, efficiency, and customizability that made the original Pebble watches so beloved.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Pebble Comeback We’ve Been Waiting For?
The PebbleOS-powered Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 bring modern updates while staying true to what made Pebble great in the first place—long battery life, a rich app ecosystem, and a focus on function over flashy gimmicks.
Whether you’re a die-hard Pebble fan or a newcomer looking for a smartwatch that prioritizes battery life, usability, and customization, these new releases offer an exciting alternative to today’s mainstream smartwatches.
