Google have released the source code to PebbleOS, and is now available on GitHub

In a surprising move, Google has just made a significant contribution to the Pebble smartwatch community by releasing the source code for its operating system on GitHub. This move is particularly beneficial for the Rebble community, a group dedicated to keeping Pebble watches functional since the company's closure in 2016.

Pebble smartwatches, which gained fame through their Kickstarter success and innovative features, sold over two million units and supported an ecosystem of more than 10,000 apps and watchfaces. Despite Pebble's acquisition by Fitbit, and Fitbit's subsequent acquisition by Google, the brand maintained a loyal fanbase due to its simplicity, long battery life, and customizable features.

The released source code includes essential functionalities like notifications, fitness tracking, media controls, and support for custom apps and watchfaces, built on FreeRTOS for ARM Cortex-M microcontrollers. However, it lacks proprietary elements such as chipset support and the Bluetooth stack, meaning it requires further development to be fully functional.