The new Pebble watch’s mobile app will also work with some old Pebble watches

On his personal blog, Eric Migicovsky, the creator of the original Pebble smartwatch, has shared some updates and important milestones about the smartwatches his new company plans to release this year.

The Core 2 Duo smartwatch is “nearing mass production,” according to Migicovsky, and Core Devices is “on track to ship out all pre-orders in July and August.” Customers who preordered the Core 2 Duo should receive an email later this month to confirm shipping and to pay any regional charges that apply, including duties, tariffs, and taxes.

The Core 2 Time – an upgraded version of the Core 2 Duo that adds a touchscreen and sleep and step tracking capabilities – is also still on schedule for a release later this year, and the company is “aiming to have working engineering samples within the next month.”

Migicovsky also says the Core 2 Duo is ready to start beta testing and that 200 units have been manufactured and will be sent out to some early preorder customers over the next few weeks, but only those who opt in and are selected to be testers. The company is seeking volunteers to try the new hardware, software, and mobile apps.

The most interesting detail about Core Devices starting its beta test program is that it’s not limited to those who preordered the new watches. Migicovsky revealed that the company’s new iOS and Android mobile apps are also designed to work with older smartwatches, including the Pebble Time (both the Steel and Round versions) and the Pebble 2. If you still have any of those models on hand, you’re encouraged to join the beta program to put the new app through its paces.

Even if you don’t have any interest in testing Core Devices’ new hardware or software, this is great news for fans of the original Pebble watches who have had to rely on sideloading old versions of the company’s mobile app to keep them running after Fitbit ended support back in 2018.