The $225 Pebble Time 2 is a refreshingly fun smartwatch

The newly released Pebble Time 2 smartwatch is priced at $225 and offers a refreshingly fun, toy-like experience. The watch brand, which was revived by its original founder, Eric Migicovsky, exudes a casual, playful, and hacker energy. Its quirky watch faces and simple apps and games set it apart from other smartwatches. The Pebble Time 2 features a color e-paper screen that is always on and can be backlit with an RGB LED, which is more muted compared to an Apple Watch's Retina display but easy to see in bright sunlight.

The device includes a silicone watch band, which makes it feel more like a Swatch rival than a fancy smartwatch. Its battery life can last up to 21 days on a single charge, which is longer than most smartwatches. However, what truly sets the Pebble Time 2 apart is its software and community. The watch's community is the reason it still exists, as the original company behind it shut down.

The community is responsible for over 2,120 watch faces and apps, created by developers who wanted to build something specific for themselves. Some popular apps include a "pointless" Pixel Miner game, a FitCat virtual pet and activity tracker, and an app that allows users to make other apps. While the Pebble app store could benefit from more search and discovery tools, the sheer volume of apps available ensures that there is always something new to explore.