Using Pebble Watch with Runkeeper

I use my Pebble watch mainly for running, as it allows me to keep track of my distance, time, and pace just by looking at my wrist without having to go through hassle of taking out and fiddling with my handphone. 

To do this, you need to have a Runkeeper account (basic membership is free), a bluetooth enabled smartphone (I use the Iphone), and of course the Pebble watch.

This is how the interface with Runkeeper looks like.

Pebble watch allows control of music from the watch as well. However, as I do not run with music, I do not have much use of this music function.

Further impressions with the Pebble Watch in Singapore

After a few weeks of using my Pebble watch, I'm loving it. My phone is usually kept in my bag or in the back pocket of my jeans, and in silent vibration mode. Therefore, I tend to miss my calls. However, the watch allows me to know when I have calls or smses cos it vibrates on my wrist! Plus, it's so cool. My friends were literally going gaga over the watch. 

Some updates to my previous post:

My initial problems of feeling numbness on my wrist have gone away. No problems whatsoever with wearing it for extended hours now.

The battery life has also improved to about 4-5 days with bluetooth on. I guess the battery just needs some wearing in. 

One thing to note - after the watch's been recharged having gone completely flat i.e. blank screen, the time gets reset to 00:00 hours. Need to sync to the phone eg. via bluetooth in order for the time and date settings to be restored. 

I got my sms alerts as well as my phone alerts working. I lost my email alerts though... 

The photo below shows the recent update I carried out for the watch... 

Hello!

This was the new watch face that came with it. Reminds me of a retro Casio watch face lol.

Retro Casio-ish watchface

I customized my Pebble with watchfaces downloaded from the  My Pebble Faces website. Here's one of them which I really liked!

The Micky Mouse watch face (animated)

Looking forward to more applications! 

Apparently, Pebble Corp is still busy fulfilling orders from their very successful Kickstarter campaign i.e. new orders may only be processed much much later. If you can't wait and must get it now, you can get the Kickstarter editions from Amazon

Pebble E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android


Other posts which may interest you:

• Pebble watch in Singapore - Initial Impressions
• Using my Kindle as a newsreader
• Initial impressions with Tinke
• For the Lego Fan

Pebble Watch in Singapore - Initial Impressions

After months of waiting, my Pebble watch is finally here!

This was my first Kickstarter project. I opted for the US$115 option, which comes with a Jet Black Pebble watch and US$15 shipping fee for delivery to Singapore.

Here's some photographs...

The environmentally-friendly packaging which the Pebble came in...

How the Pebble watch is packaged...

Kickstarter edition! Also indicates its waterproof capabilities of 5 atm.

Fits snugly on my wrist. Background shows the magnetic two point charger that is proprietary with Pebble, to allow for its waterproofing.

Updated 24 March 2013: Simple watchface showing the date and time

Updated 24 March 2013: This watchface is pretty cool. Can you figure out how to tell the time? ;)

Functions
As of now, the Pebble has only preliminary functions, such as watch, alarm, controlling of music from the watch, and phone notifications showing the number calling. For controlling of music, it allows skipping of tracks, starting and stopping of songs and does not allow volume control. As for phone notifications, it allows you to decide whether or not to pick up the call. You will have to use your phone or bluetooth headset, should you wish to talk to the caller. 

Needs upgrading to iOS6 for notifications
After upgrading my iOS on my iPhone 4 to iOS6, it allowed me to configure my notifications such that email notifications showed up also on my Pebble screen. From my limited tests carried out so far, I have not managed to get the other alerts such as calendar, sms, Facebook, Whatsapp, Twitter etc. I am not sure if the Android version is better since it appears that some open source programs have already been written and are available for Android users.  

Concerns
My battery was flat within 2 days of wearing it after an initial charge of about 2 hours. After researching on the internet, it seems like some users are also facing issues with shorter battery life of 1-2 days (as opposed to 7+ days in the specs). I am monitoring this and will update again when I have had more time with the Pebble.

Also, I am not sure if it is my imagination, but I felt some tingling sensation/numbness on my left upper arm after just half an hour of wearing it and with the bluetooth on. Am I hypersensitive to bluetooth waves or what? In any case, I will have to test that again.

Initial impressions
Smart looking watch + cool factor with untapped potential.
Need to iron out the teething problems such as notifications, more applications such as Runkeeper, and longer battery life to make this worthwhile. 

Posts which you may be interested too

• My further impressions with the Pebble Watch... 
• Initial impressions with Tinke in Singapore - keeping my health and fitness in check
• For the Lego Fan

Kickstarter editions are available now from Amazon resellers

Pebble E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android

Updated 5 May 2013: Community developed pebble watchfaces on mypebblefaces.com !
Updated 8 May 2013: I can now use Runkeeper on my Pebble!