Pebble Round 2: Sleek Smartwatch with Essential Fitness Tracking

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Introducing the Pebble Round 2: A Slim Smartwatch with Basic Tracking Features

Pebble, a name that once dominated the smartwatch market, has made a return with its latest wearable device: the Pebble Round 2. This new model is designed to offer a blend of style and functionality, targeting users who want a minimalist approach to smartwatches.

Design and Display

The Pebble Round 2 features a round screen, which sets it apart from many of its competitors. It comes with a 1.3-inch color e-paper display, offering a resolution of 260X260 pixels at 283 DPI. The screen includes a backlight, allowing visibility in low-light conditions. This makes it ideal for nighttime use or in dimly lit environments.

The device is remarkably slim, measuring just 8.1mm in thickness. While this is slightly thicker than the original Pebble Time Round (7.5mm), it still maintains a sleek profile that is comfortable for daily wear. The side button on the watch allows users to perform various tasks such as silencing incoming calls, playing and pausing music, navigating through menus, going back, and scrolling.

Functionality and Features

Under the hood, the Pebble Round 2 runs on the open-source Pebble OS. This operating system supports thousands of apps and watch faces available on the Pebble Appstore, providing users with a wide range of customization options.

The watch also features dual microphones, enabling speech input and the ability to reply to messages. However, this feature is currently limited to Android devices. Additionally, the Pebble Round 2 includes an accelerometer and magnetometer, along with a stainless steel frame, ensuring durability and accuracy in tracking movement.

Users can choose from three color options: matte black, silver, and rose gold. Each color variant supports different band sizes. The matte black model comes with a 20mm quick-release band, while the silver version supports either a 14mm or 20mm band. The polished rose gold model only supports the 14mm band.

Battery Life and Connectivity

One of the standout features of the Pebble Round 2 is its impressive battery life. The device offers up to 10-14 days of usage before requiring a charge. This long battery life is a significant advantage for users who prefer not to charge their devices frequently.

The Pebble Round 2 also includes a silicone watch band and a Pebble charge dongle, making it easy to charge and customize the device. The watch is compatible with both iOS and Android systems, although some features may be limited based on the platform.

Future Developments

Pebble is reportedly working on integrating AI features into its devices. The company recently launched an AI smart ring that can record audio and transcribe conversations. TechCrunch reports that some of the functionalities from the Ring will soon be available on Pebble watches, enhancing their capabilities further.

Price and Availability

The Pebble Round 2 is priced at $199. It is available for pre-order on Pebble’s official website and is expected to ship in May. Customers who previously purchased the Pebble Time 2 have the option to upgrade to the Pebble Round 2 if they wish to.