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Why are Pebble Fans Canceling Pre-orders? The Shocking Betrayal Destroying the Core Devices Launch
The volunteer-led Rebble Alliance has publicly accused Core Devices—the new hardware venture from Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky—of misappropriating a decade of community labor for commercial gain. What began as a promising partnership to revive the beloved smartwatch brand has devolved into a battle over data ownership, threatening the future of the independent wearable ecosystem.
The Breakdown: From Partners to Rivals
Initially, the collaboration appeared seamless. Rebble and Core Devices announced a joint effort last month: Core would manufacture new hardware, such as the Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2, while Rebble would continue managing the backend infrastructure (app store, timeline services) that powers these devices.
However, this alliance collapsed after Core allegedly demanded unrestricted, permanent ownership of the entire Rebble app database—a repository built by volunteers after the original Pebble shut down in 2016.
Key Allegations & “Theft” of Community Data
The Rebble team’s blog post outlines a disturbing pattern of behavior by Core Devices. The primary points of contention include:
- Unreasonable Demands: Core allegedly required full ownership of the database, which includes 13,000+ legacy apps, patched firmware, and hackathon creations, aiming to lock this open content into a proprietary system.
- The “Scraping” Incident: While delaying a scheduled negotiation meeting, Core Devices allegedly scraped Rebble’s servers directly. Server logs reportedly confirm this unauthorized data extraction occurred simultaneously with the postponement.
- Historical Precedent: Rebble cites previous instances where Core (or Migicovsky) benefited from open-source contributions—such as the firmware for classic watches—without contributing changes back to the public repository.
The Counter-Argument: Core’s Defense
While Core Devices has been slow to issue a formal press release, Eric Migicovsky has responded via newsletter and social channels. His defense centers on the concept of a “Walled Garden”:
- Data Ownership: Migicovsky argues that Rebble does not own the apps; the original developers do. He claims Rebble is attempting to “hoard” community data.
- Open Access: Core asserts they want the data to be “freely accessible” rather than controlled by Rebble, though Rebble counters that Core’s actions suggest they intend to build a private, closed store.
Community Reaction: A Vote of No Confidence
The controversy has ignited a firestorm across social platforms.
- Reddit & Discord: Polls and threads on r/pebble show overwhelming support for Rebble, with users expressing deep distrust of Core’s leadership.
- Boycotts: Numerous long-time fans have publicly announced the cancellation of their Core 2 Duo and Core Time 2 pre-orders, vowing to stick with repaired legacy hardware rather than support a company they view as hostile to open-source values.
For consumers, this dispute highlights the risks of relying on proprietary cloud services for hardware longevity. If Core Devices succeeds in marginalizing Rebble, users fear a repeat of 2016: a centralized shutdown that leaves hardware useless. The outcome of this dispute will determine if the “Pebble” ecosystem remains a community-owned utility or becomes a corporate asset subject to acquisition and closure.