Pebble Opens Developer Portal, Appstore Coming in 2014

MacRumors · Dec 18, 2013

Pebble, the company behind the popular Pebble Smart Watch, today announced the opening of its new Pebble Developer Portal. With the Developer Portal open, Pebble app developers can upload apps that will be distributed in the company's upcoming Pebble appstore, slated to launch in early 2014.

The appstore, which will function similarly to other app repositories from companies like Apple and Google, will allow Pebble users to download an array of apps for their smart watches, from watch faces to more complex applications developed especially for the device.

When it launches in early 2014, the Pebble appstore will be a first-of-its-kind wearable tech application directory--giving Pebble users a one-stop-shop for searching, browsing, and installing Pebble watch faces and apps directly from the iOS or Android Pebble smartphone app.

Pebble's Developer Portal comes after the November release of its Pebble SDK 2.0, which added four new APIs including Javascript, Accelerometer, Data Logging, and Persistent Storage. Pebble also recently gained support for iOS 7 notifications via the Pebble Smartwatch app, greatly enhancing the functionality of the device.

The Pebble Smart watch can be purchased from the Pebble website for $150. The accompanying Pebble Smartwatch app can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Article Link: Pebble Opens Developer Portal, Appstore Coming in 2014

FrizzleFryBen · Dec 18, 2013

I'm seriously excited to see what this device is capable of in the hands of indy devs.

bacaramac · Dec 18, 2013

In other news (future looking), Pebble seems to be gearing up as a company Apple (or others) could buy.

Kenrik · Dec 18, 2013

They should Patent as much as they can while they can..

Klae17 · Dec 18, 2013

If Apple was going to buy this company, they would have already. But Apple already had the ecosystem, the developers, the operating system, and the users.

aziatiklover · Dec 18, 2013

I can't wait for the 2.0 update and an appstore!

JGO · Dec 18, 2013

smh

No wonder they have been too busy to fulfill the order that they charged to my credit card on 4 December, but has yet to be put in the mail...

But seriously Apple...release the iWatch so that I can pay a little extra for quality AND customer service.

kdarling · Dec 18, 2013

bacaramac said:
In other news (future looking), Pebble seems to be gearing up as a company Apple (or others) could buy.

Could be.

Google bought WIMM Labs last year. The best thing about the WIMM was that it had its own WiFi, and did not need a watch to sync mail, RSS feeds, weather, etc.

I hope Google keeps that independence.

Kenrik said:
They should Patent as much as they can while they can..

Sometimes I think that there needs to be a moratorium period on filing patents in newly popular technology areas, until all the obvious stuff is already in public.

For example, every smartwatch maker has already come up with common ideas like user designable watchfaces, automatic sync'ing, UI gestures like swiping between pages, etc. It'd be a pity for one to grab any basic idea like that just by spending money on filing ahead of anyone else.

stisdal · Dec 18, 2013

Useful?

How useful is the Pebble watch? Any real users out there have comments on how much they actually use this on a daily basis? I use a watch, just wondering if this is worth it?

iSimon · Dec 18, 2013

stisdal said:
How useful is the Pebble watch? Any real users out there have comments on how much they actually use this on a daily basis? I use a watch, just wondering if this is worth it?

I never wear any other watch since getting mine - it's that useful. It's impossible to realise how convenient it is to see notifications at a glance of your watch rather than having to fish your phone out of your pocket until you have actually experienced it. Being able to reject a call from someone you don't need or want to speak to from your watch is very handy too (or answering it if it's someone you do and you happen to be using a handsfree headset).

It will only get better with the new api's that are coming with the 2.0 update too as you will be able to do more and more without having to get your phone out.

Tilpots · Dec 18, 2013

Nice. The Pebble app is a Trojan horse directing people to their own App Store. ASFAIK, this is the first iOS app that leads to another App Store. Can anybody think of another? Google and Amazons don't/can't because the devices are incompatible.

MacUserUK · Dec 18, 2013

Quiet possibly the best 'gadget' I have ever purchased.

Absolutely love my Pebble

darkslide29 · Dec 18, 2013

Tilpots said:
Nice. The Pebble app is a Trojan horse directing people to their own App Store. ASFAIK, this is the first iOS app that leads to another App Store. Can anybody think of another? Google and Amazons don't/can't because the devices are incompatible.

Google and Amazon are free to do so, as long as they pay that 30% cut to Apple. Best example is the Kindle app on iOS - Amazon is not going to pay Apple 30% of kindle book sales, so they don't have their kindle app store within the app.
Don't know exactly how it will apply to the Pebble App Store, and if it will be available from within the iOS app itself, but I imagine they're ok to play by Apple's rules.

samcraig · Dec 18, 2013

Didn't think I'd really ever want/need a Pebble - but made an impulse buy a few days ago because I was able to get a new one for under $100.

Have to say - so far - love it. If for no other reason that the ability to feel a vibration on my wrist when my phone rings (I usually have the ringer off at home and at work). Especially if I am "away" from my desk elsewhere in the office or home. Complete with caller ID

I am not a Pebble "power user" if there is such a thing - but I'm very happy with my purchase.

9000 · Dec 18, 2013

If the iWatch is coming, they'd better run as fast as they can!

----------

Can I use one as an Armagettron server? Web server? I was going to build a super-portable Raspberry Pi for something like this, but...

0098386 · Dec 18, 2013

MacUserUK said:
Quiet possibly the best 'gadget' I have ever purchased.

Absolutely love my Pebble

Same. I can now use my big headphones whilst listening to music

, and getting an additional alert when I get calls and messages is really useful. Haven't missed a call since I got mine!

So much could be improved though. I can't wait to see the next generation of smart watches.

avanpelt · Dec 18, 2013

Almost bought a Pebble the other day. Best Buy is advertising and running deals on the thing like crazy.

However, logic won out at the point where I was ready to checkout on bestbuy.com. If Apple releases a wearable solution of some kind in 2014 (as I fully expect that they will), I think it will be another iPhone/iPad moment and the Pebbles and GalaxyGears of the world will instantly look like last generation technology.

Plus, I know myself well enough to know that even if I had a Pebble, the minute Apple releases their own wearable tech, I will instantly want it. All that said, I'm sitting the Pebble out. I haven't worn a watch regularly for the past decade and while the Pebble is interesting, I'm much more interested to see what Apple comes up with.

Stella · Dec 18, 2013

9000 said:
If the iWatch is coming, they'd better run as fast as they can!

----------

Can I use one as an Armagettron server? Web server? I was going to build a super-portable Raspberry Pi for something like this, but...

iWatch will only be compatible with iPhone - pebble works with Android as well. Pebble will suffer a loss of sales but will continue. Cheaper probably too. Longer battery life maybe.

osx11 · Dec 18, 2013

avanpelt said:
Almost bought a Pebble the other day. Best Buy is advertising and running deals on the thing like crazy.

However, logic won out at the point where I was ready to checkout on bestbuy.com. If Apple releases a wearable solution of some kind in 2014 (as I fully expect that they will), I think it will be another iPhone/iPad moment and the Pebbles and GalaxyGears of the world will instantly look like last generation technology.

Plus, I know myself well enough to know that even if I had a Pebble, the minute Apple releases their own wearable tech, I will instantly want it. All that said, I'm sitting the Pebble out. I haven't worn a watch regularly for the past decade and while the Pebble is interesting, I'm much more interested to see what Apple comes up with.

iPhone: 2007
iPad: 2010
Wearable: 2014

Seems about right! (Although we all know that Apple can't continue this trend forever. Unless of course new devices continue to replace old devices).

9000 · Dec 18, 2013

Stella said:
iWatch will only be compatible with iPhone - pebble works with Android as well. Pebble will suffer a loss of sales but will continue. Cheaper probably too. Longer battery life maybe.

There will probably be some Android watches soon, besides the Samsung one, so there will be watches for iPhones and Androids. Depends on whether the new Android ones end up being better. I tried the Samsung watch by the way, and it pretty much sucks.

Stella · Dec 18, 2013

9000 said:
There will probably be some Android watches soon, besides the Samsung one, so there will be watches for iPhones and Androids. Depends on whether the new Android ones end up being better. I tried the Samsung watch by the way, and it pretty much sucks.

I think even Samsung said there was something missing with their smart phone - it missed some sort of wow factor.

I've seen some other Android watches around. One particular one - some obscure make- battery lasts 1 or 2 days, doubled as a phone too. Personally, I don't want a phone on my wrist, but a watch that will compliment a smartphone, and decent battery life ( 5 days is a good minimum ).

Tilpots · Dec 18, 2013

darkslide29 said:
Google and Amazon are free to do so, as long as they pay that 30% cut to Apple. Best example is the Kindle app on iOS - Amazon is not going to pay Apple 30% of kindle book sales, so they don't have their kindle app store within the app.
Don't know exactly how it will apply to the Pebble App Store, and if it will be available from within the iOS app itself, but I imagine they're ok to play by Apple's rules.

I don't think Kindle is the right comparison for the same reason any other ecommerce site doesn't fit. Apple doesn't 30% everything bought on the Amazon or Best Buy or Newegg app, but an App Store seems like a different beast to me, much more like an in app purchase. Just a thought...

iamtrip · Dec 19, 2013

Ah Pebblerumors.com.

fullfast · Dec 19, 2013

Cannot wait

Impulse purchased on the 16th for delivery to the UK.....left hong kong on the 18th and has cleared customs on its way to delivery for either pm today or am tomorrow.......ordered wife some perfume from 300 miles away 10 days ago and still not here.......hey ho.....

Still as long as I get my present.....I already have the apps downloaded I want to install and the relevant watch faces........

Come on Santa...deliver today.....

darkslide29 · Dec 19, 2013

Tilpots said:
I don't think Kindle is the right comparison for the same reason any other ecommerce site doesn't fit. Apple doesn't 30% everything bought on the Amazon or Best Buy or Newegg app, but an App Store seems like a different beast to me, much more like an in app purchase. Just a thought...

hmm, that's some good food for thought. I never really thought about just the general Amazon app and it blew my mind for a second trying to justify it. Good point. Thanks.

Pebble Opens Developer Portal, Appstore Coming in 2014

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