For me it's the eink display that makes them interesting. Being programmable or looking cool is nice, but for that I could also buy an Apple/Google/Samsung watch - that's not unique.
For me it's the eink display that makes them interesting. Being programmable or looking cool is nice, but for that I could also buy an Apple/Google/Samsung watch - that's not unique.
The Pebble display isn't e-ink, or unique amongst watches, it's an off-the-shelf MIP LCD from Sharp.
You can get the same thing in watches from Garmin, Coros, Polar, Suunto, Casio and probably more.
I think you're confusing Pebble with something else. All current models on the website as well as the OG pebble (according to Wikipedia) use eink displays.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebble_(watch)#Hardware
> The watch featured a 32-millimetre (1.26 in) 144 × 168 pixel black and white memory LCD using an ultra low-power "transflective LCD" manufactured by Sharp
Later generations are color, but it's the same tech. If you've ever used actual e-ink then it should be obvious enough that the Pebble displays are something else, it would be nowhere near responsive enough to keep up with pebbleOS's animations.
Transflective. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pebble_(watch)#Hardware
They’re Sharp memory displays, functionally LCDs but with memory for retention under each pixel. They are not and have never been eink.