Pebble warns new watches still won’t play nice with iPhone

Amid the excitement of new Pebble smartwatches launching for the first time in around a decade, the company’s founder has warned iPhone owners not to expect an Apple Watch-like experience.

Prior to the reveal of the Pebble Core Time 2 and Core 2 Duo, Eric Migicovsky cautioned that not a lot has changed since Pebble went away in terms of compatibility with iOS devices. He explained why the functionality of third-party smartwatches could never match the best Apple Watch.

Migicovsky says that while there’ll be a well functioning iOS app for the new, open-source PebbleOS watches, the new watches won’t be able to achieve many key features of a smartwatch in terms of connectivity with a companion phone device.

He listed plenty of missing features in said blog post. For example, there’s no way to send texts or iMessages, no replies to notifications or marking actions as complete and there’s no way for it to fully play nice with iOS apps (like Strava for instance). The companion app has to be open at all times for the watch to remain connected to the internet, and so on.

Why is this? Migicovsky said: “Apple systematically makes it nearly impossible for 3rd party wearable developers to build a smartwatch experience comparable to Apple Watch experience.”

He adds: “Apple claims their restrictions on competitors are only about security, privacy, crafting a better experience etc etc. At least that’s what they tell you as they tuck you into bed. I personally don’t agree – they’re clearly using their market power to lock consumers into their walled ecosystem. This causes there to be less competition, which increases prices and reduces innovation.”

The smartwatch pioneer says he’ll try to do the best he can because 40% of people who signed up for updates on the new watches were iPhone users. He advises iPhone users to speak out and keep up the pressure on Apple to make changes.

Please, Eric.

Migicovsky might have a point about Apple’s uncompetitive practices, but can we not overly moralise this? After all this fella isn’t exactly a bastion of always doing things the right way. He continually went back to the well of Kickstarter, taking consumers’ money months before the products shipped and, in the case of the Pebble 2 or the Pebble Core, never shipped at all. Now we’re supposed to welcome him back as some kind of crusading hero to fight against the Evil Empire? Right-oh.

Meet the Anker 20W USB C Power Strip, the ultimate desk power solution! With 9,659 ratings and a stellar 4.6 out of 5 stars, it’s a trusted favorite for its reliability and performance. Over 3K+ units were bought in the past month!

This compact power cube features 3 AC outlets, 2 USB-A ports, and 1 USB-C port to power everything on your desk with ease. Equipped with a 7-point safety system, including fire resistance, circuit-overload protection, and short-circuit protection, it gives you peace of mind. Plus, enjoy super-fast charging for your devices.

Grab this versatile power strip for only $13.99. Buy Now on Amazon!

Help Power Techcratic’s Future – Scan To Support

If Techcratic’s content and insights have helped you, consider giving back by supporting the platform with crypto. Every contribution makes a difference, whether it’s for high-quality content, server maintenance, or future updates. Techcratic is constantly evolving, and your support helps drive that progress.

As a solo operator who wears all the hats, creating content, managing the tech, and running the site, your support allows me to stay focused on delivering valuable resources. Your support keeps everything running smoothly and enables me to continue creating the content you love. I’m deeply grateful for your support, it truly means the world to me! Thank you!