Google is releasing an update for Pebble smartwatches, bringing support for the Pixel 7 series. The tech company is adding 64-bit support to the app.
The new update makes Pebble smartwatches compatible with Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Likewise, the wearable will also be compatible with 64-bit-only Android phones that are expected to arrive in the future, as per Engadget.
Google Releases 4.4.3 Update for Pebbles
Support for Pebble smartwatches continued to live on nearly a decade since the wearable started shipping.
With the new update from Google, the tech company revived the official Pebble smartwatch app.
In December 2016, Pebble was acquired by Fitbit. During that time, the company stated that the existing watch would work for the time being, however, "functionality or service quality may be reduced in the future."
Owners of the wearables may get some bug fixes. However, the company did not promise software updates or features for the wearables.
Eventually Fitbit was acquired by Google for $2.1 billion. Because of this, Google becomes the "steward of Pebble's remaining IP and software pieces," according to Ars Technica.
Given that Google is now in charge of Pebbles software pieces, the tech company decided to release Pebble Android app 4.4.3, the latest update added Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro support to the wearable.
According to a tweet by Katharine Berry, a key Rebble coder and leader who works on Wear OS at Google, the latest update was four years after the last update, 4.4.2, was released.
"Do you use a Pebble with your Android device? Cool news: Pebble Android App 4.4.3 was just released! Yes, four years after 4.4.2," Berry tweeted.
The 4.4.2 was the last Play Store update to the Pebble app from the developers. Many of the app's functions were freed up and replaced by independent servers.
In 2018, two years after buying Pebbles maker's assets, Fitbit shut down Pebble's servers.
Read Also: Fitbit Paid $23 Million To Acquire Pebble's Assets
Version 4.4.3 Might be Pebble's Last Update
The caller ID reliability on recent versions of Android was also improved in the latest update of Pebble app.
While you will not find the app on Google Play Store, Berry stated that the "APK is signed with official Pebble keys and retains Google Fit integration"
You can access the actual APK through "Rebble." It is a community-led effort to keep Pebble smartwatches alive.
Rebble is behind Pebble's latest update and it tries to ensure that watches would function indefinitely.
According to Engadget, in terms of official support, the 4.4.3 updated might appear to be the end of the line for Pebble.
Berry noted in her post on Reddit that it might be the one last update for the wearable. "Thanks to Google for providing us with one last update."
It appears like a Pebble smartwatches hackathon is set to happen in the upcoming month, according to Ars Technica.
With this, Engadget notes that "if Pebble's e-ink screen and battery are still holding up, it might be useful for a while longer yet."
Related Article: Pebble Introduces Its New Smartwatch
