If you go back to 2014, you’d find me wearing a Pebble watch almost every day—a small, black-and-white-screened smartwatch that looked like a Casio or a mini Game Boy. It wasn’t flashy, but it did exactly what I needed: showing the time and delivering wrist notifications. And that was more than enough. Those were my Pebble years, and I’ve missed them ever since. Now, in 2025, the Pebble watch is making an unexpected comeback. This revival is surprising considering Pebble’s journey starting as a Kickstarter-funded project by Eric Migicovsky, later acquired by Fitbit, and eventually disappearing after Google bought Fitbit. For years, the Pebble identity faded into obscurity. But now, Google has released Pebble OS as open-source on GitHub, and Pebble’s original founder is bringing the smartwatch back to life.
A Passion Project Turned Reality
When I first heard the news, it felt like a long-lost favorite was returning. Since the original Pebble days, no smartwatch has truly captured its simple charm. Unlike mainstream smartwatches that are packed with sensors, AI, and constant notifications, the Pebble was deliberately minimalist—a smartwatch that wasn’t trying too hard.
Eric Migicovsky, Pebble’s founder, is back in the gadget-making business. He’s starting a new company focused on devices that echo the spirit of the Pebble. Instead of chasing mass-market appeal, he’s taking a small-scale, indie approach—building products for himself and for enthusiasts who truly appreciate them. “I just love gadgets,” Migicovsky said. “I’m just gonna make gadgets because I want them.” His new Pebble model will run the old Pebble OS, support custom apps, and maintain its hackable, open-source nature. It’s a return to the Pebble’s roots—a simple, lightweight smartwatch designed for usability, not distraction.
A Faster Path to Revival
Migicovsky revealed that he contacted Google about open-sourcing Pebble OS over a year ago. Google agreed, making it much easier to revive the Pebble platform. Thanks to more available components and an efficient design process, the new Pebble came together faster than expected. The Pebble’s revival might not stop at just one watch. Migicovsky hinted that other minimalist gadgets could follow. But for now, the focus is on bringing back a wearable that many people loved and still miss. A Smartwatch for the Minimalist Era Unlike modern smartwatches that are filled with AI assistants, fitness tracking, and constant notifications, the Pebble is making a comeback by embracing simplicity. It’s not about pushing futuristic tech into everyday life—it’s about removing distractions and bringing back long battery life.
This reminds me of the recent hype around the Boox Palma, an E Ink phone that people loved because it wasn’t overly smart or demanding. It offered a partially offline, distraction-free experience, much like a Kindle. The new Pebble could deliver the same kind of simplicity, a break from the hyper-connected world.
What to Expect from the New Pebble
The new Pebbles won’t have touchscreens—just the classic button controls that fans loved. They’ll be square, plastic, and black-and-white, staying true to the original Pebble’s DNA. They won’t be flashy or overloaded with features, but that’s the point. In a time where AI is creeping into every device smartwatches, earbuds, and even glasses the new Pebble stands out by going in the opposite direction. Instead of adding more complexity, it focuses on what made the original special: simplicity, usability, and long-lasting battery life. For those who miss the Pebble, this comeback might be exactly what the smartwatch world needs right now.