Pebble introduces the Steel, an all-metal smartwatch with an elegant look (video)
To say 2013 was a good year for Pebble is a huge understatement. The company started out at last year’s CES showing off functional versions of its iconic smartwatch — you know, the one that generated over $10 million on Kickstarter in a matter of weeks — and it ended the year by announcing it had pushed more than 300,000 units and was planning to launch a dedicated app store. But while the watch has a healthy ecosystem, loyal following and a sporty look, the Pebble isn’t exactly the kind of device you slap on your wrist for wine-tastings or galas at the local art gallery. For those types of events, you’ll need a premium-looking smartwatch, but good luck finding one; you’ll probably just opt for your traditional Rolex or other fancy piece of wrist jewelry over anything else on the market.
Fortunately Pebble didn’t come to CES empty-handed this year. CEO Eric Migicovsky announced the Pebble Steel at the company’s press conference this morning, which takes the original Pebble watch and encapsulates it in an all-stainless steel, CNC-machined body. If you like the idea of the Pebble, but don’t think it radiates enough elegance or class, the $250 Steel may be more up your alley. The new device will be available alongside its predecessor on January 28th, but you can pre-order it beginning today.
So what did we think about Pebble’s new look? In a nutshell, we like it (although the jury’s still out on the name itself). Keep reading below to get our full take on the new watch, and enjoy the image gallery and hands-on video first.
Before we go any further, let’s make an important clarification. The Pebble Steel isn’t replacing the original version, which will continue to be available for $150 through several different channels. Fortunately, it isn’t creating fragmentation within the Pebble lineup either; aside from a few minor hardware changes (such as a new charger, Gorilla Glass, an anti-fingerprint coating and an LED notification light, which is used to indicate the watch is charging), the Steel adds very little extra functionality. Many of the other specs remain the same: the e-paper display, waterproof design, user interface and battery are identical.
Indeed, the most striking changes to the Steel are all cosmetic, all of which are welcome improvements that give the Pebble a much more mature appearance. The stainless steel body is surrounded by a small, black racing stripe near the top, which doubles as an external antenna; without it, the Bluetooth signal would be consistently obstructed by the watch’s metal chassis. Each Steel will come with two wristbands — leather (below) and metal (above) — but this time, standard bands aren’t going to be compatible. Pebble plans to release the design specs in a 3D-printable format, in case third-party manufacturers want to come up with a wider variety of options.
You can also choose between two available colors: Brushed Stainless and Black Matte. While both models feature the same build material and quality, the black unit’s casing is coated with a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) finish that helps make the body more scratch-resistant and slightly more durable.
We’ve always been fond of the original Pebble’s look, but there is definitely something to be said about the fact that the Steel is simply more stylish, not to mention easier to use. It still feels just as comfortable to wear and even the buttons offer a more enjoyable experience; we didn’t feel like we had to push as hard on the Steel’s buttons to navigate around the UI, which is a huge win for the watch’s industrial design.
Earlier we mentioned that the Steel unfortunately doesn’t use the same charger as the original version. Since the new watch is shaped quite a bit differently than its predecessor, the team had to make some adjustments. Fortunately, the result is at least a good one: In theory, since the contacts actually have a little bit more surface area, it charges the Steel faster. Also, don’t worry about having to buy a new one — as you might expect, it’ll come with one in the box.
On the firmware side, the Steel will come with Pebble OS 2.0 built-in, and you’ll be able to take advantage of the company’s new App Store. CEO Eric Migicovsky tells us that more than 6,000 developers have already submitted apps, so the Steel should have a pretty healthy selection of games, watchfaces and other apps when it launches. This list of apps includes ESPN, Pandora, GoPro, Yelp, Foursquare and Mercedes.
Pebble Steel. January 28th. Tell your friends.
Google to bring Android to cars with a little help from Audi, GM, Hyundai, Honda and NVIDIA
Already with more than one billion activations on mobile and media devices, Google’s Android is set to make an impact on another major industry: automobiles. Following rumors that the search giant was working with Audi to embed its open-source OS inside its cars, the company confirmed today it has teamed up with five automotive and technology companies (with more expected in the future) to form the Open Automotive Alliance. Alongside Audi, Google will be joined by General Motors, Hyundai, Honda and chip-maker NVIDIA, which will all work to bring Android to cars starting this year. The coalition aims to create a common platform that will drive innovation and in turn make cars “safer and more intuitive for everyone.” With Apple and Nokia already pushing hard to bring their own software to cars — Apple already counts Honda, GM and Hyundai as Siri Eyes Free partners — 2014 could be a big year for connected cars.
Filed under: Transportation, Software, Google
Source: Open Automotive Alliance
Google acquires Bitspin, makes its stylish Android alarm app free to celebrate
Bitspin is probably most well known for its swish Timely alarm app on Android, and it seems that Google likes how the Swiss team is doing it, because it’s just acquired them. “For new and existing users, Timely will continue to work like it always has,” noted the Bitspin team in their announcement post, adding that it will continue to “build new products.” The more immediate news, however, is that the premium version of the app, sans banner ads, has gone free in the process. If you like the sound of a Swiss-made (digital) alarm clock, you can give it a try right here.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Bitspin, Timely (Google Play)
YouTube to show off lower-bandwidth 4K streaming at CES
For ultra-HD to truly take off, there needs to be a wealth of native content available — not just displays — and according to a GigaOM report, that could happen sooner than expected. Next week at CES, YouTube is demoing new 4K streaming-tech at a handful of major hardware manufacturers’ booths, and the first TVs supporting Google’s video format should ship by 2015. Don’t worry about bandwidth overages though, these streams will run on YouTube’s VP9 codec, which uses substantially less data than current formats. The outfit’s Francisco Varela said that this royalty-free codec will have benefits outside of his company, as other video providers can use it too. There’s even an upside if you don’t have a 4K display: The jump to VP9 should drop the amount of data for plain-Jane HD streams by around 50 percent. If you want a peek at VP9 before next year though, Varela expects hardware decoding for it will come to PCs and mobile devices first.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Google
Source: GigaOM
Hyundai’s 2015 Genesis will let you lock the doors through Google Glass
Tired of reaching into your pocket just to lock your car’s doors? You won’t have to when Hyundai rolls out the 2015 Genesis sedan next year. The automaker plans to launch a Blue Link app for Google Glass that offers Genesis owners the same remote services they’d get through a smartphone, including basic remote control, maintenance updates and the option of sending Google Maps directions to the car. Drivers won’t be stuck using Google’s eyewear, as Hyundai promises Blue Link support for other wearables. Convenience won’t be cheap when you’ll need to buy both the car and at least one piece of exotic technology, but the solution will certainly be more affordable than its unofficial Tesla equivalent.
Filed under: Transportation, Wearables, Google
Source: Hyundai
Unofficial prescription options for Google Glass to start at $99
Google Glass Explorers who have had to change to contacts, or potential Explorers who’ve been waiting for prescription glass compatibility, the wait is almost over. Unofficially, at least.
According to Gigaom (via SlashGear), Rochester Optical is planning to launch prescription lenses built specifically to work with Google Glass starting at a mere $99.
There’s no official word of when the lenses will become available in the report, other than a mention of “the next few weeks” and after CES as a general timeline.
The setup from Rochester Optical seems to include either a frame setup, requiring the Glass unit itself to detach from its frame and reattach to the new frame. Or a pop-in lens similar to the shields currently included with Glass.
The former option is similar to what Google has confirmed is in the works as an official solution for prescription glasses and the cyborg-esque headset.
The post Unofficial prescription options for Google Glass to start at $99 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Moto G comes to Boost Mobile prepaid plans for as low as $100
Motorola is starting off the new year right. Yesterday we got word that the Moto G is coming to Verizon as a $100 prepaid device, and today Boost Mobile announced that it’s also going to be selling the budget-friendly smartphone through multiple channels. The most eager fans can grab one of their very own today through HSN, which is selling the G for $100 after a $30 mail-in rebate; it’ll also be available for $130 on Boost’s website starting January 14th and brick-and-mortar stores on the 20th. If you’re trying to get a solid Android device and don’t mind the 3G speeds, you can’t get much better than this.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile, Google
Tune into our Google Hangout with the CEA’s Gary Shapiro, happening at 11:30 AM EST!
Now that we’ve set foot into 2014, the final countdown to CES in on. There’s plenty to look forward to, from anticipated announcements from LG and Samsung to the official Best of CES Awards, which we’ll be running in partnership with the CEA. Who better, then, to chat with about what to expect at the show than the Consumer Electronics Association’s Gary Shapiro? He’ll be joining Engadget’s Marc Perton in 30 minutes for a Google Hangout about all things CES. Catch it here, or below the break.
Filed under: Announcements, Misc
Moto G for Verizon now on sale at Best Buy for $100 contract-free
When Motorola said that a CDMA version of the Moto G would reach the US in January, it was being overly cautious. Best Buy has confirmed that it’s already selling the Verizon edition of the budget smartphone in its retail stores; as soon as a store has inventory, you can pick one up. And it’s cheap, too. At $100 off-contract, Verizon’s Moto G is less expensive than both its GSM equivalent and many slower, smaller devices. You won’t get to pick up the handset until after New Year’s Day, but we have a hunch that it will be worth the wait.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Google, Verizon
Via: CNET
Source: LA Times
Switched On: The 2013 Switchies, Part One
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology.
It’s that special time of year between holiday sales and the pre-CES hype cycle that presents an opportunity to consider some of the most innovative devices of the year. Switched On is proud to present the 2013 Saluting Wares Improving Technology’s Contribution to Humanity awards, also known as The Switchies.
This installment marks the eighth annual Switchies, which are decided based on a rigorous examination of the opinion of me, and do not reflect the opinion of Engadget or its editors. For that latter honor, nominees will need to win an Engadget Award. Now, then, let’s stroll past the red carpet and tear open those envelopes.
This column will focus on TV, PC and gaming products while the next installment will focus on mobile and wearable devices.
The “Big Screen Scene” Award for Best New Video Device goes to the Google Chromecast. Taking an app-by-app approach, Google’s cheap stream-redirecting HDMI dongle took everyone by pleasant surprise with its small size and ease of use. It also helped Google show the power of bridging the assets of Android and Chrome and built momentum in a frustrating race for the living room. It’s now rapidly adding new content sources.
Honorable Mention for Best New Video Device goes to the Xbox One. Microsoft’s latest home console is not only a powerful game system, but also a living room experience that incorporates many leading-edge technologies, including speech control, gesture control, video chat and an expanding array of over-the-top entertainment. Honorable Mention also goes to the TiVo Roamio Pro, the latest generation of the venerable CableCARD DVR that can support up to six tuners and offers improved streaming and offload to mobile devices.
The “Play’s the Thing” Award for Best New Gaming Device goes to Sony’s PlayStation 4. By casting off much of the corporate baggage of the PlayStation 3, like in-house chips, 3D and expensive novel optical formats, Sony finds itself in the enviable sweet spot of offering top-notch performance without occupying the top end of the market. Sony’s simpler development proposition should also help enable a stronger flow of game titles coming into 2014.
The “Convertible Bonds” Award for Best New Hybrid Computing Device goes to Microsoft’s Surface Pro 2. Still a study in contrasts, the second generation of Microsoft’s Intel-based tablet combines high performance and dramatically improved battery life, but you’ll be spending most of your time in desktop mode to tap its potential. Honorable Mention goes to Nokia’s cellular-equipped, outdoor-optimized, Windows RT-based Lumia 2520 and HP’s Android-based Slatebook x2 “2-in-1″ detachable.
The “Guess We Just Click” Award for Best New Input Peripheral goes to the Leap Motion controller. While we continue to see many companies focus on bringing down the cost of gesture control at the expense of a rich experience, Leap Motion presented a new 10-inch paradigm that won it a partnership with HP. Leap Motion wrests this award from Microsoft, which won it for the past three years.
The “Critical Bits” Award for Best New OS goes to OS X Mavericks. In a year where Apple, Microsoft and Google all unveiled new versions of their operating systems for tablets, Mavericks was left virtually unchallenged to pursue improvements for the desktop paradigm and Apple delivered with better battery life through superior memory management and its best multiple-monitor support yet.
Ross Rubin is principal analyst at Reticle Research, a research and advisory firm focusing on consumer technology adoption. He shares commentary at Techspressive and on Twitter at @rossrubin.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Peripherals, Software, Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Google
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