Pebble announces new 'steel' watch design and several app partnerships

As we previously posted, Pebble CEO Eric Migicovsky announced via pre-recorded video, a newer, more elegant Pebble smartwatch that the company plans to launch. Shipping January 28th, the stainless steel Pebble features several new upgrades including Corning Gorilla Glass and an LED that let's you know when the watch is plugged in and charging. The watch will cost just $100 more than its predecessor at $250 and is available for preorder now via getpebble.com.

As for partnerships, Pebble announced new apps from GoPro, Pandora, Audi, and their new Pebble App Store for developers to showcase and sell their products.

Mr. Migicovsky also mentioned that Pebble has hit the 300K milestone of products sold and is now on sale in more countries including Australia and Singapore.

#CES2014: Pebble set to announce a steel iteration of its popular smartwach

Almost a year to the date after officially announcing the shipping date of their smartwatch, Pebble is set to announce the latest iteration of their popular device in the steel variety. While the internals will remain the same, Pebble Steel appears to be slimmer, with a modern design that sports slimmer bezels. It’s still not a touchscreen watch, but the e-paper display is now covered with a tougher Gorilla Glass.

Stay tuned for their official annoucement shortly

Update: Pebble is live-streaming their announcement in 15-minutes here

Pebble's Developer portal is now open, appstore to follow in 2014

Speaking of smartwatches, we've just received word that Pebble has opened a new Developer Portal is now open! Showing that they're steadily adding to the Pebble smartwatch experience, they also announced an appstore coming in 2014.

Pebble app developers will now be able to upload their Pebble apps for distribution in the upcoming Pebble appstore. When it launches in early 2014, the Pebble appstore will be the first of its kind wearable-tech application directory and give Pebble users a one-stop-shop for searching, browsing, and installing Pebble watchfaces and watchapps direct from the Pebble smartphone app.

Pebble Smartwatch coming to Canada via Future Shop, pre orders now available

One of the most revolutionary products to ever come out of the crowd-funded Kickstarter phenomenon, the Pebble smartwatch is finally coming to Canada. Future Shop is accepting limited pre orders of one Pebble per household at the price of $149.99 (which, surprisingly, is the same price as in the US). Watches will ship by November 18, in time for the holiday season.

It seems they only have stock of the Black version so anyone who wants the other colours may have to look elsewhere. I got my Pebble directly from the company as a Kicstarter funder and I had to pay an extra $39 for customs charges to Canada over the price of the device. I've been using Pebble with my HTC One, Moto X as well as with my iPhone 5s and have been satisfied with what the product offers. I've used it mainly for getting notifications (messaging, email, texts) and obsessively checking the weather through many of their various watch faces as well. I like the cross-platform nature of the Pebble, its ease of use and its longish 6-day battery life on a single charge. If you're interested check out Future Shop's page.