What You Can Expect From Pebble Time

When the original Pebble watch Kickstarter launched in 2012, many saw it as the first truly stylish next-generation watch. With customizable watchfaces, app functionality and smartphone compatibility, the Pebble watch filled a wearables gap. The watch’s crowdfunding campaign pulled in over $10.2 million, evidence that the smartwatch niche was certainly an interesting one.

With a release date ahead of the Apple Watch, Pebble was a leading in smartwatches before “smartwatch” was a buzzword.

Recently, the company has launched a Kickstarter for Pebble Time, which has accumulated over $20 million in contributions. With funding doubled, it’s clear that interest came from original supporters of the Pebble watch and newly aware consumers. The new Pebble Time campaign is, after all, the most well-funded in Kickstarter history.

While Pebble Time does not lead in regard to number of supporters, the total funding amount is record-breaking. With the upcoming Apple Watch release date, it shows a consumer confidence and interest in Pebble Time. The new venture is expected to start shipping in May and June.

Pebble Time’s Unique Features

New Pebble Time features include a seven-day battery life and a new timeline interface that prioritizes your daily tasks. Water resistance (up to 30 meters), timeline API, a color e-ink screen and photo functionality have also garnered interest.

Recent updates and feature additions can be found on Pebble Time’s Kickstarter page. Attracting over $20 million in less than two months speaks to the general excitement surrounding the next iteration of Pebble Time.

One thing that helped raise over $20 million in support was a perk for Kickstarter backers that entitled them to a custom engraving on their Pebble Time and/or premium Pebble Time Steel. While some would think the emergence and general prominent marketing for the Apple Watch would derail a more small-time — at least in comparison — competitor, the Apple Watch’s spotlight on the smartwatch niche is benefitting Pebble in a sense.

The day after the Apple Watch launch event in March, pre-orders for the Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel spiked 167 percent per hour. Some say the reason for this attention is Pebble’s potential features for maximizing productivity.

Boosting Productivity with Pebble Time

The original Pebble watch featured sports apps that encouraged many to work out more, if only for the watch’s ability to track progress and provide users with a sense of accomplishment; they were able to see concrete data on their workouts. Additionally, its ability to sync to your phone and share data made it a great productivity-booster for many in business, who could seamlessly view data during meetings by glancing at their wrist.

With additional features like call alerts and notifications, it became much easier for users to be reminded of tasks without carrying their phones around. In addition, an app like Multi Timer is one of many productivity-boosting apps available for Pebble.

The newest iteration of Pebble retains the great productivity aspects of the original, while offering many new features that can aid in productivity. For one, a seven-day battery life can save you the time of having to charge your phone every few hours. It also proves as a more reliable source than your smartphone for notifications and reminders, as no major smartphone can compete with the new Pebble’s battery life.

The new watch’s emphasis on a prioritized timeline of your day represents the next wave of personalized tech-aided productivity boosters. Considering its sleek look and promising features, it’s no surprise Pebble Time has broken Kickstarter records.

Images from GetPebble.com and Don’t Erase