Pebble 4.3 Update Improves Heart Rate Tracking, Adds iOS Reminders Support

[MacRumors]

Pebble has released a new firmware for its Pebble 2 and Time-Series smartwatches that brings a faster interface, improved heart-rate tracking features and Reminders support for iOS.

First off, the new 4.3 firmware update introduces a new watchface to 2-Series and Time-Series watches that includes at-a-glance readouts for time, step count, step progress for the day, and heart rate (2-Series only).

For 2-Series watches, the update introduces on-wrist and in-app heart-rate zones, which tally how much time the body has spent in Fat Burn, Endurance, and Performance HR zones.

Third-party phone apps like Runkeeper can now also use Pebble's heart-rate monitoring to capture, sync, and visualize pulse data during activities, while fitness apps that send live workout data to the watch can now include HR data from the watch in their visualizations.

Aside from improved overall heart-rate monitoring, the update also supports voice reminders that save to the user's timeline and sync with the iOS reminders app, so that reminders created on the watch show up in the default Reminders list. Marking items as done in a Reminders list also sync back to the watch.

Owners of compatible Pebble watches can update their Pebble apps to version 4.3 from the App Store, while 2-Series and Time-Series users should update their watches from the Pebble app via Menu -> Support -> Update Your Pebble.

Article Link: Pebble 4.3 Update Improves Heart Rate Tracking, Adds iOS Reminders Support

 

[44267547]

I give Pebble credit. They are still making improvements and focusing on the health side of things. I think in wearable technology, they have to keep focused on the health aspects. Pebble needs more than just watch faces and notifications if they plan on being relevant.

 

[MartinAppleGuy]

Not going to say anything bad about the Pebble, but seeing as you can get a series 0 Apple Watch for only a little more makes them a hard sell right now.

 

[44267547]

Not going to say anything bad about the Pebble, but seeing as you can get a series 0 Apple Watch for only a little more makes them a hard sell right now.

I agree with that. Although, if someone were to buy a Pebble, it's either likely they don't care for the Apple Watch or they don't have an iPhone.

 

[firewire9000]

I have an iPhone and previously owned first Apple Watch and I like the Pebble, it's affordable, always on display, light, easy to use and basic.

 

[NeilHD]

I've had an original Pebble and a Pebble Time Steel, both backed from Kickstarter so I'm definitely a "fan". The PTS literally fell apart but credit to Pebble they shipped me a replacement with no questions asked. I'm doing the update as I type.

Whilst I love the always-on screen, I've always found the watch a bit flaky. It misses notifications and frequently loses connection altogether. This is common across both the original and both the PTS's I've had.

So I'm going to buy an Apple Watch when I'm in the USA in January. How well I'll cope with a watch that doesn't actually tell the time all the time I don't know but I'm sure I'll get used to it. At least the battery life seems to be better now with the latest OS update.

 

[halfapie]

I have a Pebble 2 HR, and I installed this update. Kudos to Pebble since they only started shipping this model about two weeks ago.

Unfortunately the Heart Hate tracking still has some flaws, such as random spikes to 150bpm while typing on the keyboard. The only noticeable improvement is that with firmware 4.3, the HR monitor automatically turns off when the charging cord is attached. With the old 4.2 firmware the watch was trying to measure my HR when it was charging, which is not possible since the charging cord sits right next to the HR sensor.

 

[Madmic23]

Whilst I love the always-on screen, I've always found the watch a bit flaky. It misses notifications and frequently loses connection altogether. This is common across both the original and both the PTS's I've had.

I'm still waiting for my Pebble Time 2 to arrive. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a watch that loses connection with my phone and misses notifications from time to time.

I've considered buying the Apple Watch Series 1, or even a fitbit charge 2. I'm more interested in the health side of smart watches, which is why I just want one with a heart rate monitor.

 

[44267547]

I have an iPhone and previously owned first Apple Watch and I like the Pebble, it's affordable, always on display, light, easy to use and basic.

I think if someone was interested in wearable technology and didn't want to spend a lot of money, Pebble would be a good starting point. They are affordable and can handle the basic tasks the other smart watches can do with notifications, messages and basic health measures.

 

[44267547]

I'm still waiting for my Pebble Time 2 to arrive. Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a watch that loses connection with my phone and misses notifications from time to time.

I've considered buying the Apple Watch Series 1, or even a fitbit charge 2. I'm more interested in the health side of smart watches, which is why I just want one with a heart rate monitor.

It happens where Bluetooth needs to be re-paired with any smart Watch. But having just a heart rate monitor at least eliminates all the other features you wouldn't use on the other competitors.