Pebble Reclaims Its Original Brand Name After Legal Battle

The Return of Pebble: Name and All

Pebble enthusiasts can rejoice - the beloved smartwatch brand isn't just making a comeback, it's reclaiming its iconic name. "We've successfully regained the Pebble trademark, which honestly surprised me with how smoothly it went," reveals Eric Migicovsky, CEO of Core Devices, in a company blog update. This means the previously announced Core 2 Duo will now officially be called Pebble 2 Duo, while Core Time 2 becomes Pebble Time 2.

A Smartwatch Pioneer

For those who need a refresher, Pebble was among the first true smartwatches to capture tech lovers' imaginations. Despite developing a devoted following, the company struggled to compete against tech titans like Fitbit, Apple, and Samsung in the wearables market.

The Journey Back

After Pebble's acquisition by Fitbit in 2016 for $23 million, Google later purchased Fitbit - a crucial detail because Google subsequently open-sourced Pebble's software. Earlier this year, Migicovsky announced plans to revive the brand, though initially without the Pebble trademark, resulting in temporary "Core" naming.

More Than Just a Name

Securing the original Pebble branding carries both practical and emotional significance. Beyond simplifying consumer recognition (since everyone would naturally call them "new Pebbles" anyway), it properly honors Pebble's passionate community.

"Now that we've recovered the Pebble trademark, developers can once again use the Pebble name for related projects," Migicovsky notes, acknowledging the brand's history of community-driven innovation. During Pebble's absence, dedicated fans maintained an underground movement called Rebble to keep their devices functional - proof of the brand's enduring legacy.

Related Coverage

• Eric Migicovsky demonstrates the new Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch
• The original Pebble smartwatch revival announcement