Nearly a decade after its launch, the original smartwatch still works with modern phones. A new Pebble app update, the first in four years, introduces several improvements and bug fixes, plus compatibility for 64-bit-only smartphones like the Pixel 7.
Pebble was supposed to die after it was acquired by Fitbit in 2016. But two years later, when Fitbit finally shut down the Pebble servers, it made a nice gesture of goodwill—one final update that handed Pebble back to its community of fans. The now four-year-old Pebble app version 4.4.2 unlocked third-party server support for the smartwatch.
This third-party support is mainly provided by the Rebble Alliance. But keeping the ancient platform alive without help from Google (Fitbit’s new-ish owner) isn’t an easy task. That’s why today’s news is so surprising; Google handed the Rebble Alliance a new version of the Pebble app.
Do you use a Pebble with your Android device? Cool news: Pebble Android App 4.4.3 was just released! Yes, four years after 4.4.2.
It adds Pixel 7 / Pixel 7 Pro support, and improves the reliability of caller ID on recent Android. Grab the apk from https://t.co/2GVv68RaZ8
— Katharine Berry (@KatharineBerry) October 25, 2022
Pebble app version 4.4.3 is now available at the Rebble Alliance website. It fixes some annoying bugs, including a persistent notification that some users were dealing with, while maintaining Google Fit integration and other app services.
Notably, this update adds 64-bit smartphone compatibility. While 64-bit Android phones are nothing new, new devices (including the Pixel 7) don’t support 32-bit applications at all. Who knows, this update could add another three or four years to the Pebble’s lifespan.
Katharine Berry, a Rebble Alliance member and Wear OS employee at Google, was the first to announce this update. In her Reddit post, she thanks Google for “one last update.” Let’s hope that the Pebble app continues to receive updates, whether they’re from Google or a community of fans.
Source: Rebble Alliance via Katherine Berry
