Pebble Founder Demos Pebble Core 2 Duo Smartwatch: ChatGPT Integration Next?
Key Takeaways
- Pebble Founder Eric Migicovsky started a new YouTube podcast on Thursday and demoed the new Pebble Core 2 smartwatch.
- The smartwatch comes with a bigger screen, a waterproof speaker, an adaptable backlight for night use, and a potential AI agent integration.
- Eric also plans to develop a native API for developers working to expand the PebbleOS ecosystem with new apps and widgets.
- The new smartwatch is still on track to launch in July 2025, Eric confirmed.
Great news for Pebble smartwatch fans — Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky launched his new ‘Tick Talk’ podcast yesterday and demoed the highly anticipated Pebble Core 2 Duo.
Wearing a white version of the smartwatch in his YouTube video, Migicovsky offered a first look at some of its features. At first glance, the Core 2 Duo (not to be confused with Intel’s processors) doesn’t look any different from the Pebble 2 launched in 2016.
But a closer look shows a slightly bigger screen, a waterproof speaker, and a silicone strap with a ‘strap keeper’ to keep it from flapping around when worn.
Much of the work on the watch is currently happening on the software side, focusing primarily on the Pebble recovery firmware. Aside from that, Migicovsky said they’re also writing the drivers for the vibrating motor, accelerometer, and backlight.
‘I wanna make the backlight a little bit less bright at night or when you’re in a dark area. I think we’ve got a little bit of tuning on the light sensor for the new watches,’ he added in his Tick Talk podcast.
Overall, though, he said he only has a very short to-do list regarding new features on the Core 2 Duo smartwatch.
For one, he wants to create a native API that will allow developers to create small widgets to display information on the main watch face (such as the weather and calendar events).
He also wants to integrate Beeper into the smartwatch, which is an app he created that allows you to access all your chats from different messaging services.
Migicovsky also discussed the possibility of having AI voice agents on the smartwatch. He mentioned Bobby, a Google Gemini AI integration created by Catherine Berry, that lets you ask quick questions or get small bits of information.
This potential integration would make great use of the Core 2 Duo’s built-in speaker.
‘You could actually have an AI speak output to you without having to look down at your wrist,’ said Migicovsky. He added that having an AI agent on the watch helps him keep the phone in his pocket, especially when hanging out with his kids.
Following his experience using AI agents like Bobby on his smartwatch, Eric declared himself ‘cautiously optimistic’ about potentially integrating AI into the PebbleOS – a promising sign for Core 2 Duo’s development down the line.
Pebble Core 2 Duo: Still On Track to Launch in July
With the US and China currently locked in a bitter tariff war, the Pebble smartwatch founder revealed that he ‘picked a really difficult time to get back into manufacturing hardware.’
However, he assured fans that the team is still on track to start shipping the Core 2 Duos in July 2025. He added that the tariffs won’t affect buyers outside the US, since the smartwatches are being manufactured and shipped directly from China.
It’s a different story for US-based customers, who will be affected by the hiking tariffs on China-made products imported into the country.
Eric explained that those in the US aren’t getting the full tariff amount yet since US President Donald Trump paused the reciprocal tariffs on China-made goods.
But since Migicovsky isn’t sure how long the pause is going to last, he said that they’re trying to get the Core 2 Duo manufactured as quickly as possible.
A Return to a Simpler Era of Smartwatches
Compared to today’s more highly capable smartwatches — with touchscreens, sleep and step tracking, and built-in heart rate monitoring — the Core 2 Duo seems like a poor buy with its simple black and white e-paper display.
Essentially, Core 2 Duo is more of a watch than a smartwatch.
But that’s where the beauty and uniqueness of the Core 2 Duo and the Pebble watches of old lie. They’re built mainly to tell you the time, although in a more fun way, with over 10K apps and watch faces.
When asked why he wears smartwatches, Migicovsky shared in his podcast that he likes having one because it tells time. ‘But a smartwatch (like the Pebble) is even better at that because when you travel, it changes time zones. You could see multiple time zones. It’s just a better watch in general.’
He added that he likes getting notifications without having to look at his phone or computer all the time.
And then there’s the fun factor that Pebble smartwatches are known for.
‘I have this watch face on my wrist right now, […] an octopus holding an ice cream cone. There’s no one in the right mind who would ever make an actual watch that looks like that. But […] I downloaded it off the Pebble App store […]. I love that whenever I look down at my wrist, I just smile,’ Migicovsky said.
It seems that many long-time Pebble fans agree.
Overall, the Core 2 Duo is a welcome change for those looking for a more basic smartwatch without the clutter of features like GPS tracking or other monitoring features.
With over 2M first-generation Pebble watches sold in 2017 and $12.7M raised for the Pebble 2 and Time 2, there may still be a place for this kind of tech on people’s wrists.
As technology continues to evolve—from the return of ‘dumbphones’ to faster and sleeker computers—seasoned tech journalist, Cedric Solidon, continues to dedicate himself to writing stories that inform, empower, and connect with readers across all levels of digital literacy. Read more
With 20 years of professional writing experience, this University of the Philippines Journalism graduate has carved out a niche as a trusted voice in tech media. Whether he’s breaking down the latest advancements in cybersecurity or explaining how silicon-carbon batteries can extend your phone’s battery life, his writing remains rooted in clarity, curiosity, and utility.
Long before he was writing for Techreport, HP, Citrix, SAP, Globe Telecom, CyberGhost VPN, and ExpressVPN, Cedric’s love for technology began at home courtesy of a Nintendo Family Computer and a stack of tech magazines.
Growing up, his days were often filled with sessions of Contra, Bomberman, Red Alert 2, and the criminally underrated Crusader: No Regret. But gaming wasn’t his only gateway to tech.
He devoured every T3, PCMag, and PC Gamer issue he could get his hands on, often reading them cover to cover. It wasn’t long before he explored the early web in IRC chatrooms, online forums, and fledgling tech blogs, soaking in every byte of knowledge from the late ’90s and early 2000s internet boom.
That fascination with tech didn’t just stick. It evolved into a full-blown calling.
After graduating with a degree in Journalism, he began his writing career at the dawn of Web 2.0. What started with small editorial roles and freelance gigs soon grew into a full-fledged career.
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At the heart of his work lies a simple belief: technology should feel empowering, not intimidating. Even if the likes of smartphones and AI are now commonplace, he understands that there’s still a knowledge gap, especially when it comes to hardware or the real-world benefits of new tools. His writing hopes to help close that gap.
Cedric’s writing style reflects that mission. It’s friendly without being fluffy and informative without being overwhelming. Whether writing for seasoned IT professionals or casual readers curious about the latest gadgets, he focuses on how a piece of technology can improve our lives, boost our productivity, or make our work more efficient. That human-first approach makes his content feel more like a conversation than a technical manual.
As his writing career progresses, his passion for tech journalism remains as strong as ever. With the growing need for accessible, responsible tech communication, he sees his role not just as a journalist but as a guide who helps readers navigate a digital world that’s often as confusing as it is exciting.
From reviewing the latest devices to unpacking global tech trends, Cedric isn’t just reporting on the future; he’s helping to write it. Read less
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