I never realized that Amazon's Alexa was such a big deal, until Google brought out Google Home at Google I/O 2016 and applauded Amazon for its Echo device. Now, though, Pebble has decided to make the most of Amazon's Alexa by partnering with the Jeff Bezos-led company to bring it to the Pebble Core. "Today, we're proud to announce Amazon Alexa integration with Pebble Core, bringing Amazon's acclaimed voice services to a fully-independent, 3G-connected wearable device for the first time ever. Pebble Core backers on Kickstarter will be the first to experience Amazon Alexa on Pebble's infinitely hackable ultra-wearable when shipping begins in early 2017," Pebble wrote in its celebratory blog post earlier today.
For those who may not know or have forgotten, the Pebble Core is a small, square device that functions as a smartphone does, with its 3G connectivity that lets you place it on your shoulder or shirt strap when being physically active. The device lets you play Spotify and other internet radio services (the 3G cellular connectivity comes in handy, here), and the device itself is disrupting the idea of wearables as just "wrist-strapped devices," which seems to be the common idea behind the movement currently. The Pebble Core takes the idea of modularity seriously, letting you take heart rate monitoring and voice commands off your wrist (and lose the strap) while still letting you access it all in a small device that fits in the palm of your hand. The Pebble Core's desire to provide voice command capabilities is another reason why Amazon Alexa will prove potent for the company and the wearable.
The Pebble Core is on Kickstarter, priced at $69, and will be shipped to backers and customers in early 2017. Pebble just unveiled the Pebble Core, along with its Pebble 2 and Pebble Time 2 nine days ago.
