With the release of Apple Watch, Android Wear was released one after another from Motorola, Sony, LG Electronics, Samsung, ASUS, etc., and the "Smart Watch" became a very major genre.However, on the other hand, voices saying, "Is smart watch really true?"The smartwatch is reasonable because the smartphone is mature, and there are places like a puzzle, as there are places where the next breakthrough door is opened from the carton.In June, "PEBBLE TIME", a third smartwatch, was released.
Although I wrote the third, it was rather early in 2013 that the previous model "PEBBLE WATCH" (I will attach it to distinguish it from the company name).It became a hot topic with a record high of $ 10 million in a kick starter (also listed in the Guinness World Record).It is said that this kind of device was shipped unusually one million units.How did the Pebble evolve?I was very worried, and I became an investor (reservation buyer), but this is a simple and clear concept that makes you want to hit your knees, saying, "This is a smart watch!"I think many companies mentioned above are growing a clue to solve the addictive puzzles.
First, the outer shape uses a gorilla glass for the screen for metal bezels.The case where the side that hits the arm is slightly dented is made of plastic, the band is flexible and well made, but it is a resin (and a general clock band that passes the pin through the hole).The body color is available only in black, red and white.Somehow, should it be a taste like UNIQLO or MUJI?That's why the 64 -colored electronic paper display, which is not easy to see for flattering, is an eco -like image that has been printed on a recycled paper.
What I actually start using is the icons that decorate the screen and their animation are simple and cute (I would like you to see it on the official website or on YouTube).It has a design that blends into a casual everyday wear.One point, it is not officially released in Japan, and does not support Japanese display.If you want to display Japanese (by Cryingneko), you will be grateful for the Japanese language pack, so you will need to install it.
| ↑Pebble Timeの公式サイトでうたわれている4大特徴。 |
Hardware, the body size is 40.5 (W) x 9.5 (D) x 37.5 (H) mm, weighing only 24 grams (42 with belt).5 grams).The waterproof performance up to 30 meters in depth is also a sales point, and you want to use it roughly in your daily life.Speaking of everyday, one -week battery life is the benefit of electronic paper.In fact, when I returned to Taiwan for 3 nights and 4 days, the battery remaining was "40 %".In the daytime, there are two or three times per hour, and sometimes you read the contents of emails.
Speaking of operability, there are four buttons on the main unit, not screen touch.However, this is also a simple one on the right side of the main unit, "up", "selection", "down", and "return" to the left side of the main unit.By the way, "microphone" is equipped, but it is to respond to messages instead of voice commands (can be converted to text by converting English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, etc.).Also, there is no speaker, so you can't make a hands -free call.
Overall, it is as simple and compact enough to look like a general watch.The operability is very intuitive, so if you can use a smartphone, you can use it without hesitation.
| ↑比較のためにApple WatchとPebble Timeの基本スペックをまとめてみた。 |
| ↑左はApple Watch、右のPebble Timeは画面をタッチすることもできなければデジタルクラウンもない。キラキラ感では圧倒的にApple Watchだが。 |
シンプルでわかりやすい“時”についての新しい情報フォーマット
The most notable of this PEBBLE TIME is the series of actions starting from the time display screen.Needless to say, a clock is a tool for knowing the current time.In the past, many people were doing watches because they worked on time.For example, once, if you can't keep your time accurately, you've immediately bothered your opponent, but now you have a mobile phone and messenger.In other words, there were events such as "scheduled" and "promises" on the extension of "time".In PEBBLE TIME, it has just turned it into the UI.
In the interface called the "timeline" adopted by the Pebble Time, press the "down" button from the displayed screen, the schedule (in my case, the contents of the Google Calendar) will be displayed.You can scroll and see.Conversely, you can see past schedules with the "up" button from the time screen.This is a new format of "time" information.At first glance, nothing is likely to be a similar idea, but it can be used very naturally because of the simplicity of hardware.
| ↑Pebble Timeの公式ページにあるタイムラインのコンセプト図。 |
| ↑時刻を知る道具としての時計の基点はこの時計画面（ウォッチフェイスを変更してある）。 |
| ↑時計画面から“下へ”のボタンで簡単なアニメーションとともに“次の予定”が出てくる。さらに“下へ”を押していくことで、順次ふたつずつ予定が表示される。ここで“選択”ボタンを押せば“場所”など詳細情報が表示される。スケジュール以外に、“日の出、日の入り”や“天気予報”もこれに混じって表示されるところが楽しい。 |
| ↑時計画面から“上へ”のボタンで過去のスケジュールを見ていくことができる。過去は1日、未来は2〜3日ぶんが表示されるようだ。 |
In the timeline, the PEBBLE TIME displays the weather forecast, the highest, lowest temperature, the sunrise, and sunset are just like a small window that represents the "day and night" of an analog wristwatch.By the way, this timeline can provide information on the third -party app, so various uses should be suggested in the future.Probably, what Google is trying to do with Android Ware or Google Now is like a "intelligent luxury version."But, as far, this is a bit strange, and it's not uncomfortable to say that the "wrist" is too smart.
省電力でなんでもできる画面付きのプラスチックの固まり
Along with the timeline, the most taken care of PEBBEL TIME is the notification.In my case, Gmail, Facebook comments, Facebook Messenger, Twitter messages, retweets, and LINE talks are set to vibrate.These are displayed as needed, and they can read the contents of the email on the spot (although it is about 300 bytes at the beginning), and reply to messages (using fixed phrases and voice input).
It is a more comfortable experience than expected to be able to see this in one environment.By the way, Android seems to be able to make a richer notification.Conversely, this is also a news in the United States, but it is important to note that these functions cannot be used sufficiently in iOS and a very different feeling of use.
However, the great thing about the first PEBBLE was that it was useful for wearable researchers, not such a mediocre use.In addition to the long battery life, I incorporated an original app that works on the Pebble Watch, and my acquaintance used it for demonstration experimental things.If the app only works, the Apple Watch and Android Wear should now look better and be able to process more advanced.Health and fitness apps such as Runkeeper are available, but there are no heartbeat sensors and the screening of the screen is inferior.So, has PEBBLE TIME a device that is no longer attractive as a platform that opens up the potential of the future?
One interesting feature in this regard is that the rechargeable connect port on the back of the case can also be data communication.It is said that you can create a dedicated band equipped with a module such as a sensor and connect it here.A program has begun to support those who develop such an expansion band for $ 1 million, and SEEED STUDIO, which is based in Shenzhen, China, and are also attracting attention in the IoT field..IO is giving himself a name.
| ↑Seeed Studioは、同社のArduino互換モジュールと組み合わせてNFCや心拍センサー、GPSなどを使えるように、Spark.ioは、SIMを搭載するバンドを提案している。Pebble Timeは、ウェアラブルということもさることながらIoTの入口になる不思議なプラスチックの固まりなのかもしれない。 |
SEEED STUDIO and Spark.The name of a company such as IO may have already come to the point.Apple Watch is a part that makes up the system on mobile healthcare and payment systems drawn by Apple.On the other hand, Android Wear should be the leading soldier of the company -like information organizing and utilizing it by approaches such as cloud and artificial intelligence.On the other hand, PEBBLE TIME's identity is born from a paradigm of a new and younger new manufacturing.
As a result, PEBBLE TIME is very pure as a smartwatch, and is one -generation sophisticated.It is related to the serious hints of the IoT where the things around you connect to the net (it is like solving a pazle of wearable).If you're not doing this, you may be overwhelming if you say that you are not trying to understand the current digital.
(July 23, 2015 15:30 Postscript: At the first article, the amount of PEBBLE TIME acquired and the number of shipments were different. We will apologize and correct it. Also, I will also change the notation on the Pebble Watch display.bottom.)
[The latest status] Mr. Endo, a director of the Kadokawa ASCII Research Institute, Inc.He is the editor -in -chief of "Monthly ASCII".Former "Tokyo Adult Club".Experienced from Comiket to publisher.Currently, he provides companies with analysis and consulting on lifestyles in the Internet era, has high praise, and has been active in trendy explanations and lectures on digital and media.He is also a member and judge at related committees and events.He has authored many books, including the Social Native Era (ASCII Shinsho).At the end of "Weekly ASCII", "God is in the clouds" is being serialized.■ Related site ・ Twitter:@hortense667 ・ Facebook: Mr. Endo
