Pebble Smartwatch to Work Independently Without Relying on Pebble’s Server

The new update on iOS and Android platforms for Pebble's smartwatch will allow its watches to work even without the support of Pebble’s main server.

California: Pebble, one of the pioneers in smart watch industry, has set the trend that would be followed by its rival smartwatch makers. Recently, Pebble was acquired by its rival, Fitbit, creating a panic among the Pebble watch users that their watches would stop working once the company vanishes.

In order to minimize the panic among its users, Pebble deployed its software update on both iOS and Android platforms for enabling its watches to work independently from cloud-based online servers, which would allow the Pebble watches to work even when the server shuts down. The users can still install firmware updates sans server, including language packs, and side-load apps onto the watch.

Pebble developer, Jon Barlow relayed the steps taken by Fitbit to the Pebble Users, for preparing them for the eventual shutdown—including updates on Pebble apps to free the watches from the cloud. “No one on this freshly-formed team seeks to brick Pebble watches in active service,” Barlow said.

TechSci Research depicts that acquisition of Pebble by Fitbit is expected to increase its market share in the smart watch industry in coming years. Moreover, the growing technological advancements and surge in internet penetration is further anticipated to drive the demand for smart watches during the forecast period across the globe.

According to released report by Techsci Research, “Global Smartwatch Market By Type, By Application, By Operating System, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2012-2021”, the global market for smartwatch is projected to grow at a CAGR over 25% during 2016-2021. Personal assistance application dominated global smartwatch market, on account of increasing usage of third party application in connected devices and rising demand for technologically advanced products. North America was the major demand generator for smartwatches across the globe, due to increasing number smartphone users, growing shift towards standardized connectivity coupled with increasing usage of smart functions.