Pebble releases first version of firmware 4.0 at the end of August

Pebble plans to release version 4.0 of the firmware for its smartwatches at the end of August. The hardware maker tells developers that watchfaces and apps made for 4.0 can be tested on real hardware from the end of August.

Pebble did put the 4.0 SDK online on Wednesday evening, but it only contains emulators. It is unknown on which models 4.0 can be tested first. The Pebble Time 2 will be released in November and the Pebble 2 in September.

In version 4.0, Pebble partially removed the Timeline it introduced in 3.0. The function to look in the past via Timeline has been removed. In its place comes Timeline Peek, which allows apps to overlay notifications on the watchface. Also supports 4.0 App Glance, which allows apps in the launcher to display a line of information.

Version 4.0 is the first not compatible with every Pebble. The first generation Pebble and Pebble Steel will not get the update. The Pebble Time, Time Steel and Time Round do. Simultaneously with the release of the preview of the SDK, the manufacturer has put a gold and silver version of the Time Round on Kickstarter. Customers will pay $199 for the new variant, which includes the same hardware as the current one.