Eric Migicovsky, the founder of Pebble, is reviving the smartwatch brand four years after its abrupt shutdown. In an interview with TechCrunch, Migicovsky announced that he is restarting Pebble, albeit with a new approach and a fresh start. This time around, Migicovsky's unnamed startup will leverage Google's open-sourced PebbleOS software, which was recently made available to third-party hardware manufacturers.

The decision to revive Pebble comes on the heels of Google's announcement to open-source the smartwatch brand's software stack. This move marks a significant shift in Google's strategy, as it looks to breathe new life into the WearOS ecosystem. For Migicovsky, this presents an opportunity to reboot Pebble and create a new smartwatch that aligns with his original vision.

Migicovsky's new startup is still in its infancy, with the founder currently serving as the sole employee. However, he plans to bring on additional staff in the coming months and has already begun exploring manufacturing options in Shenzhen. Despite the challenges that come with building a hardware startup, Migicovsky is confident that the process is much easier than it was 10 years ago, thanks to the proliferation of smartwatch factories.

The new Pebble smartwatch will focus on a set of core features that Migicovsky believes are essential for a great wearable experience. These include an always-on e-paper screen, long battery life, a simple and beautiful user interface, buttons for music control, and hackability. Migicovsky's vision is to create a smartwatch that meets his own high standards, having tried various other options on the market.

Notably, Migicovsky has no plans to raise venture capital funds or return to the Kickstarter model that helped launch Pebble initially. Instead, he is self-funding the project and will build it modestly, based on consumer interest. This approach allows him to maintain control and focus on creating a product that meets his own expectations.

The revival of Pebble raises questions about the demand for a new smartwatch brand in a post-Apple Watch world. However, Migicovsky is betting on a dedicated community of users who still crave the Pebble experience. The brand's active Subreddit and thriving resale market for older devices suggest that there is still interest in the Pebble ecosystem.

As Migicovsky embarks on this new venture, he is driven by a passion to create a product that he wants to wear himself. With Google's open-sourced PebbleOS software and a renewed focus on his original vision, Migicovsky is poised to make a meaningful impact in the wearables market once again.

The future of Pebble 2.0 remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: Migicovsky's dedication to creating a great smartwatch experience is unwavering. As the wearables market continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see how Migicovsky's new startup fares and whether it can recapture the magic of the original Pebble.