Popular smartwatch manufacturer Pebble has broadened out its service with the implementation of Android notifications and firmware and iOS app updates.
Having successfully utilised Android notifications in Beta form, Pebble is now rolling it out to the public.
The Beta testing was interesting in that it led to Pebble adding user-defined responses, letting users reply to hangouts and even send cash to and from friends via Square Cash.
The upgrades come in advance of the Mobile World Congress, the looming deadline of the event at the start of March is seeing a wave of manufacturers releasing updates and new products. It’s that time of year.
More than 720,000 Android Wear devices were shipped in 2014 out of a total global market of 4.6m wearable smart bands or watches. Pebble actually shipped a total of 1m units from its 2013 launch through to the end of 2014. Continual software updates, more apps in its app store and price cuts in the fall helped maintain strong sales in the second half of the year.
Indeed the smartwatch realm, in particular, is undergoing a very fast-paced revolution, with all current manufacturers trying to position themselves in such a way to compete with the unknown quantity of the Apple watch, due out soon.
Positioning is also key when considering the potential knock-on effects of Apple’s introduction, with the raised awareness of smartwatches through the tech giant’s entrance perhaps increasing the market as a whole.
Indeed the market is already establishing distinct tiers, with LG set to announce their luxurious Urbane smartwatch, and Apple itself is rumoured to be including a gold version of its own watch.
