Pebble, Microsoft and what could have been with Windows Phone

Earlier today, Windows Primal ran a story regarding a potential Pebble app coming to Windows Phone. Evidence for the claim comes via a Shop listing for an internal app that demonstrates a Pebble watch syncing with Windows Telephone 8.i devices.

At the time, my position was that this app represents a proof-of-concept approach. If Pebble were pleased with the performance and feature-prepare, a contract to build the actual app and partnership would likely take place.

Speaking with various people familiar with the state of affairs, I accept been able to learn the full context of the Microsoft-Pebble state of diplomacy. The news is fascinating, but the outcome will cause some weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Time machine: Belatedly 2022

Pebble and Microsoft began to discuss the potential for an app in the 2d one-half of 2022. Indeed, I was frequently dropping rather big hints that talks betwixt Pebble and Microsoft were ongoing in various comments.

The program was for Microsoft to build a demonstration app to bear witness to Pebble that their smartwatch would sync in all the right means with Windows Telephone. Pebble, like many companies, would prefer a consistent user experience for their products across devices. Requesting Microsoft verify that their Os tin can handle Pebble is a mutual and reasonable request before a partnership is signed.

In belatedly 2022, but Windows Phone 8.0 was available on the market with the promise of 8.one later that spring. Windows Phone 8.ane brought many new APIs to the table, including better Bluetooth Smart support (devices with iv.0 or college specifications, low-free energy support, and updatability). Pebble could non build an app for Windows Telephone on their ain, only with Microsoft taking control annihilation was possible.

Just a few months later in spring 2022, Microsoft did non deliver a barebones app that could sync as requested. Instead, nosotros are told they designed an entire Pebble app themselves with nearly complete functionality. The only matter that was missing was the recently announced Pebble Store, merely seeing as Microsoft could non take admission to many of its components, it was an easy thing to overlook.

We hear that Microsoft made quite the impression by delivering a well-polished, entirely functional app so chop-chop. The simply thing that remained between the two companies were the details of the partnership.

This was the programme, and we are told an official declaration for a Windows Phone Pebble app was existence pushed for Build 2022 with the app due sometime later on that year.

Direction gets cold anxiety

My sources tell me that Microsoft was very cooperative with the Pebble group. Anyone who has worked with Windows Phone evangelists, their management and fifty-fifty – at the time – Nokia employees share the same impression. Redmond bends over backward to win over a company'south business organisation. This willingness to partner with Pebble was beauteous, just in the end it failed for one main reason: Pebble'due south management.

As a visitor, Pebble was riding a lucky wave of positive press and an increasingly loyal fan base. The problem was Google and Apple were looming in the distance as both companies were preparing to spring in on the article of clothing market place.

Pebble partnering up with Microsoft would seem like a safe bet should things get too heavy with Android and Apple. Nosotros are told that plans to help distribute Pebble in Microsoft Stores (online and physical), connecting with carriers to co-sell Windows Phones with new Pebble watches, and more were all being considered as strategies.

Cortana integration was even existence looked at equally a break though engineering for Pebble and a fashion for Microsoft to become a foot in the door on iOS and Android.

The overarching angle beingness leveraged was Microsoft needed a smartwatch strategy, and Pebble needed a company with deep pockets to lean on.

Pebble would continue to work with Apple and its Android partners, but Microsoft and their Windows Phone would be more favored. To see a like strategy in activeness, look no further than Microsoft fitness darling Fitbit. AT&T is continuing their promotion of bundling the Lumia 830 with a free Fitbit flex and Fitbit products are cross-promoted and sold in all Microsoft Stores.

To my mind, this all sounds like a brilliant programme. Pebble gets a resilient partner; Microsoft works with a spritely, "disruptive" tech company. Long term, Microsoft would even be in an ideal position to learn Pebble, should the private company want to become down that path.

There is merely ane trouble: Pebble founder and CEO Eric Migicovsky.

Despite Microsoft's attempts to win over Pebble, Migicovsky is reportedly non a fan of the company nor their mobile operating system. The young entrepreneur reportedly nixed any partnership.

Growing up in a globe where Google and Apple accept dominated the mobile scene, this perception that Microsoft is old and out of touch is seemingly more frequent these days. Specially with those under xxx (see Snapchat'southward Evan Spiegel for a like attitude). Fifty-fifty Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella was unable to persuade him personally.

Go along in heed, the plan I am told was for Microsoft to develop the app, including eating all costs associated inside, and even to assist Pebble keep Windows Phone app parity long-term with continued back up. In substitution, Pebble owns the app. These kinds of deals are very familiar with Microsoft as the company knows information technology has to exist ambitious when winning over clients.

A irksome fizzle into 2022

Throughout 2022, discussions most the partnership including financing, reach, retail, and more slowly began to fizzle due to Pebble's lack of involvement, not for Microsoft's lack of trying.

To my knowledge, as of February 2022, at that place is no longer any talks between the companies about a Pebble app, making the prospects for one looking bleak. Although this internal Microsoft app was updated terminal week, raising some eyebrows, this is likely just the developer continuing to tinker just in case Pebble decides to return Microsoft's telephone calls.

In fact, Pebble even confirmed that there is no Windows Telephone app today in a Reddit AMA. Pebble's Thomas Sarlandie, Head of Developer Relations flat out said so. He is telling the truth. However, he is also failing to mention how Microsoft made them an app and that they are choosing to ignore the platform.

For now, Pebble is attack forging their path without Microsoft at their side. This choice all comes just days afterwards some other successful Kickstarter to raise money for their new Pebble Time smartwatch, featuring an always-on color, east-paper display.

Perchance Migicovsky and Pebble  volition modify their listen, but in the interim, we do not expect to hear any more about Windows and Pebble.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/pebble-microsoft-and-what-could-have-been-windows-phone

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