Hasta La Gadget!

Pebble released an SDK update today which lets developers create apps that support two-way communication via Bluetooth. While the new software (called PebbleKit) was hinted at before, it represents a major step forward for the platform by allowing third-party developers to send / receive information between the smartwatch and a smartphone. This opens the door to weather, stock, traffic and remote control apps — among others. Also launching today is the Pebble Sports API which is already being used by two recently announced apps: RunKeeper and FreeCaddie. Since the Pebble SDK was first introduced last April, it’s been downloaded 8,000 times and developers have built 5,000 watch faces and games (such as Droptype, RadarClock and Nyan Watch) which have been installed 300,000 times — not too shabby, if you ask us. Finally, after raising $10 million through Kickstarter last year, the company’s just received $15 million in Series A funding from Charles River Ventures. Let the good times roll, right? PR after the break.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile, Apple, Google

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Source: Kickstarter

The popular health and fitness tracking app RunKeeper has updated for both iOS and Android. One of the biggest new additions to the app is support for the new Pebble smartwatch, which now allows users to check their wrist to see if they’re keeping up pace, rather than having to fish out their smartphone to check their stats while on the go.

Both the iOS app and Android app also have some new features coming their way. The Android app now includes easier methods to enter in non-GPS activities manually, such as running on a treadmill or cycling on the stationary bike. The Android version also received a new widget that you can add to your home screen, letting you start and stop activities.

As for the iPhone app of RunKeeper, more users in more countries now have access to the fitness app, thanks to additions of several new languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Japanese. The app’s developers note that they’re continuously adding new languages, so we can expect more to come in the future.

Other than that, the updated app comes with the usual big fixes and performance enhancements. As for the Pebble watch, we reviewed the wrist device back in February, and it’s been going out to Kickstarter backers these last few months. While the watch is somewhat cheaply made in a way, third-party support is growing, making it even more tempting to take advantage of the new device.

RunKeeper Pebble support enabled in iOS and Android update is written by Craig Lloyd & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Although more than a few runners track their progress through apps like RunKeeper, it’s doubtful that many of them like reaching for their smartphones just to check their pace. Thanks to an updated RunKeeper app, they’ll only have to look at the Pebble smartwatch on their wrist. Both Android and iOS users can now glance at the Bluetooth timepiece for vital stats, such as pacing, or start and stop their runs. Only a handful of us will have the needed combination of app and wristwear to justify the update at the source links, but don’t despair if you’re not part of the Pebble flock. RunKeeper’s staff say they “look forward” to supporting wearable technology as a whole, which should let many more athletes keep their eyes on the path ahead, and their hands out of their pockets.

Filed under: Cellphones, Wearables, Mobile

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Source: App Store, Google Play

It was over a month ago when we heard Google was planning to build their own smartwatch and even got to see a concept of the rumored device earlier this week, but today, a patent has surfaced that may hint at what we can expect from Google’s smartwatch.

Google’s patent, which is titled “Smart-watch with user interface features,” is for a smartwatch design that features dual touchpads, a wireless Internet connection and components that are located within the device’s wristband instead of underneath its face. The touchpad will not only be able to allow its users to perform the expected range of interactivity such as tapping, pinching and stretching gestures, but may also be completely removable as well. (more…)

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Renny Bluetooth Home Ringer , Google Glass Now Has A Reddit Application,

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