Have a Pebble? Here's what you can do with it on Windows Phone

Smartwatches are a hot item these days and the Pebble Smartwatch may be the hottest potato in the bunch. Our Mobile Nations teams recently visited the Pebble Factory in Palo Alto, California and were rather impressed with what they saw.

With the recent launch of the new Mobile Nations site Smartwatch Fans (opens in new tab) and the rising popularity of the Pebble watch we here at Windows Phone Central became curious as to what apps are available in the Windows Phone Store for these smartwatches.

Before we get into the specific apps, we should caution you that these apps are fairly limited in functionality due to OS limitations. We do feel that an official Pebble watch app may not be that far off but for now our options are a little on the thin side.

Pebble Watch Pro ($1.99)

As with all of the apps in this roundup, Pebble Watch Pro is an unofficial app and not affiliated with the Pebble Watch Company. It will require you to be running firmware version 1.14 on your Pebble watch.

Through Pebble Watch Pro you can receive calendar, Twitter, battery and network alerts on your watch. Along with the alerts, Pebble Watch Pro also lets you control music playback on your Windows Phone from the watch.

Calendar alerts range from five to thirty minutes in advance of the appointment and Tweets are received from your Home Timeline and Twitter Direct Messages. Battery alerts will notify you when your Windows Phone battery falls below a certain level and network alerts notify you when you lose or regain access to your data source (Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G).

The downside to all of this is that Pebble Watch Pro must be running in the foreground for it to communicate with the watch and the lockscreen needs to be disabled.

There isn’t a trial version available for Pebble Watch Pro and the full version is currently running $1.99. The app is only available for Windows Phone 8 devices and you can find it here in the (opens in new tab) Windows Phone Store.

Pebble ($.99)

Pebble is more of a utility app for your Pebble watch in that it allows you to add applications to your watch by downloading them from a Pebble watch website, remove any installed apps from your watch and synchronize the time between your watch and Windows Phone.

It lacks music control, notifications, and alerts. Pebble lacks a trial version and is only available for Windows Phone 8 devices. The full version is currently running $.99 and you can find Pebble here in the (opens in new tab) Windows Phone Store.

In addition to these two Pebble apps, we need to extend honorable mention to two Windows Phone apps that are loosely Pebble related. Pebble Watch Lite (opens in new tab) (free) allows you to control the music on your Windows Phone from your Pebble watch and test the notification features on the Pebble watch. The second honorable mention goes out to Pebble Music (opens in new tab) (free) which is simply a music player for your Windows Phone styled like the watch.

Pebble Watch Lite and Pebble Music

Smarthwatches can be a great accessory for your smartphone and as this technology begins to seep into the Windows Phone arena, we’ll be sure to keep an eye on things. Who knows, we may hear a few announcements next week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show.

And don’t forget to check in on our new website Smartwatch Fans (opens in new tab). It is a great source to keep up with the smartwatch industry.

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.

Latest

Surface Duo may be getting its own Insider Program for Android betas soon

See more latest ►

118 Comments

Wait so is Pebble finally compatible with WP now?!
I suggest reading the details of the article.
Sometimes one doesn't want to bother reading article. Not disrespect, just tired after work, or hangover maybe, whatever.
you don't want to read, but you come to a blog site?
Me not, frankly, but reading blog I used to wish someone answers me if subject works or not, for example. So I just sympathize david12345. Wish you are more kind:)
No disrespect, but that's annoying. Nobody wants to answer the question of someone whom clearly was too selfish or lazy to read the article. Time is money, so don't try to waste someone else just because you didn't want to spend yours
Not very altruistic. Ok, your way, why not.
Altruism has little to do with rewarding the laziness of others. If someone cant be bothered to read an article, what makes you think they will read the comments or replies?
Just I know that used to suite to myself, that's all.
In short, no, It's not.
I feel you SargeT, I came to the article wondering if it was compatible, but I didn't know the writer was going to write, in essence a documentary about the whole thing, so I skipped down and read the comments looking for answers.... :-) I'm interested, and love the WPC writing, but sometimes I need some "quick hitters".... OK, NOW I understand why all of these tech sites have 1-2minute video daily recaps!!!
Are you for real? If the pebble weren't compatible with WP, why would the article be called "Have a Pebble? Here's what you can do with it on Windows Phone"? They needn't have bothered otherwise! And it's hardly a documentary. You can skim the first few paragraphs and pick out key words. I would have thought the fact these apps exist, and the screenshots clearly showing pebble integration, enough to clue you in on the fact they are obviously compatible. But no, you'd rather ignore all that obvious meterial which takes less than 20 seconds of your life to read, and directly hit up the comments section instead?
Why don't you think it may be hard to run through the article searching key words for those who aren't good in English? Just an impulsive question: Does it officially work or not, guys, tell me aaaa please!
That's hardly fair, Sarge. One wouldn't wish to bother reading an article, but one would bother commenting on it? Besides, being logical here you end up going to more effort asking in comments and awaiting an answer to the question, than you do by just skimming the article instead. If the pebble weren't compatible, why would Daniel bother writing an article called 'Here's what you can do with it on Windows Phone'.
Based on the limited features of those apps mentioned above combined with issues like having to have lockscreen disabled, it is safe to say the answer to your question is no. Even if I had the watch already I would not bother with the apps mentioned above.
The lock screen only needs to be disabled in Pebble Watch Pro for full music control. Notifications work fine without the lock screen being disabled. You can get Calendar, Twitter home timeline, Twitter direct messages, Battery and Network notifications fine under the lock screen as long as the app is the foreground app. I continue to work on adding other notifications. The best way to use this app is just make sure it is the foreground app when you are not actively using/looking at your phone. That way you get notifications while you are working ore doing something else.
why just not answer it by yes or no.
because it isn't a simple yes or no answer. Use your brain. People are clearly telling you that there is 'SOME' level of integration. It's not 'Yes, it all works perfectly' nor is it 'no, it doesn't work at all'. Life isn't all black or white. It's shades of grey.
Iv yet to see anyone with a smart watch lol..iv played arnd with the ones at tmobile..not sure if their worth the price tho when you can pick up a Lumia 521 for under a $100
Very true I have a hard time believing the whole smart watch thing will ever be more than a short lived fad that only a few people are interested in whatsoever.
I've seen a smartwatch being worn. I can definitely see them being a big thing, not just a fad. I mean look at it this way: Most of us wear watches everyday. Most of us live in a technological world, divulging information on a daily basis. Micro sized gadgets are becoming more and more powerful. I could see, a decade from now, more than three-quarters of all watches being worn, being a smartwatch. The ability for someone to preheat their car or recieve notifications on their wrist is just... great.
I think Pebble got it right with a smartwatch as a companion device to a smartphone. So you can check notifications and control music without taking your phone out of your pocket. Good battery life, sunlight readability, and cheap.
I'll wait until I see normal people wearing them. Until then they'll be as ultra-nerdy as calculator watches.
My thoughts exactly..as Thenutman said, I think they will be short lived. Lots off people don't wear normal watches much anymore because the time and date is on their phones anyways..
well timed article. Just got mine yesterday. Between the two apps you can at least get by. Thanks to both devs. I would honestly like to see what Rudy would be able to do. Especially if he would tie in notifications from all his app.
Screw the Pebble, can't wait for my Kreyos Smartwatch to arrive in the mail... (^_-)-☆
This one looks cool. But kreyos is only a fitness watch right?
No. It has all the fitness tracking features AS WELL AS all the same features as Pebble... It also has built in Speaker and Mic for calls and it is Waterproof... Oh, and it works with iOS, Android AND WP8... :)
Can you tell more about the WP8 compatibility? How can the Kreyos Metoer succeed where the Pebble fails? I think WP8 will still deny access to SMS and Phone notifications, I think? Would be great if you'd know more about that.
Except that the Kreyos screen has to be turned on each time you want to see the time, which basically defeats the purpose of a watch.
Not really. It would defeat the purpose of a wall clock, but it's not difficult to press a button to see the time. I got rid of all my watches 10 years ago as I have a mobile phone. I have to press a button to show the time, but it's no problem.
Or, you could get a Lumia with the black update and then you wouldn't have to push a button to see the time on your smartphone either (glance). :-) I have always had watches and I have even had a few where you had to push a button to see the time. It's annoying. If I'm going to wear a watch, it had damned well better tell me the time any time I look at it and the gestures aren't reliable enough, either. I had the original Sony Smartwatch and it was fail. A Smartwatch should be a WATCH first. To me, that means it should always show the time and be accurate. I know it means different things to different people, but that's my take. That's why the Gear and the Kreyos are not options for me. The Toq is cool, but only works with Android.
Right, with Glance you wouldn't have to push a button- just reach into a pocket, take it out, then put it back. Or strap it to your wrist. ;) So if they call it a "wrist-screen" or whatever, does that mean they can safely focus primarily on features other than telling the time?
Yeah, a friend has a lumia with glance and it's pretty much perfect for all time-keeping needs :) At the moment the smartwatch offerings aren't enough to make me want one. Perhaps in 1-2 years they might be better.
Two of them were last updated on 1/1/2014. What a great new year !
If I see someone wearing a smart watch, I will point and laugh. It is tech for tech sake, and it is just dumb. Now go forth and rant about how I'm wrong... I'll change my mind when I see something that isn't redundant.
Until they make a smartwatch that can last at least a month on a single charge, I agree with your sentiment. As if I don't have enough crap to recharge every night already.
Didn't think of it that way. You swung me away! Thanks! ;)
Do you HAVE to have an app to use the Pebble with the phone at all?
I ask because I have an I'm Watch and I just connect it via Bluetooth and can take calls and control my music without an app on my phone.
As far as I can tell, yes. A Pebble will connect to a Windows Phone via BT (tried on 1520), but incoming call alerts/notifications will not be sent to the watch. It needs an app running in the background or a notification sent to alert the Pebble.
I'm Watch uses the Bluetooth HFP (Hands Free Profile) and AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile). Both of those profiles are supported by WP. This is what makes WP8 compatible with in car system's Bluetooth. The Pebble only works with SPP (Serial Port Profile) which is supported in WP8 via RFCOMM. In order to get those features via SPP on WP, WP8 would need to allow 3rd party apps to intercept incoming phone call info. Music control is limited to what the interfaces WP8 allows to the 3rd party apps. Unfortunately when the lock screen is enabled they are severely limited.
Cool story, bro. You go on pointing and laughing at people because they choose to buy something that you have no need for. I'm sure that'll get you far. You don't have to buy a smartwatch to be some kind of second smartphone. Sometimes, it's fairly simple in use. I bought a Pebble because it was only $150 and the display is always on, battery lasts a week, and it vibrates when I get new messages on my phone. I don't use it to control my music or anything. Oh, and the time is always correct, without having to change it for daylight savings or when I cross time zones traveling for work. Show me another $150 watch that does all that. I would wear a watch regardless. This one gives me the most utility that suits me. I'm glad you have no need for one. You can save $150 and go buy yourself some friends.
You have a watch, the battery for which lasts a week? Impressive. And you check messages on your wrist because your phone is what, in your pocket? On the table? Really selling it there, sunshine. Ill stick with my Junghans Mega atomic watch which is always right and needs no charging. And my phone.
Perhaps you should take reading comprehension classes before you try trolling. I stated exactly how I use my smartwatch and why I chose it. As for notifications: I ride a motorcycle. When I'm riding and my pocket starts vibrating, there's no way for me to know what it's for, but I can glance at my wrist and see if it's someone calling, a message, etc. It also allows me to not be rude when I'm at dinner with someone, especially when I can glance quickly at the message and see that it's not important. I'm sorry that you're too short-sighted to see what it could be useful for...sunshine. And yes, a week of battery life. And it charges in less than an hour. I think I can manage to plug my watch in once during a week-long span, especially since I have to plug my smartphone in every night anyway. Your sarcasm would be appropriate for something like the gear, but the Pebble gives you a full week of battery life with the screen always on. That's pretty close to as good as we're going to get with current battery technology for probably the next few years.