Pebble smartwatch now supports Android Wear apps

Pebble, the smartwatch that has won many users, has just got a new boost which will appeal to many Android fans: the latest build of the app will allow for compatibility with Android Wear apps. Users need to update their Pebble to the latest firmware v2.9 and get the updated Pebble Android app (v.2.3.0) from the Google Play Store and they will be able to run Android Wear apps on their Pebble. The only downside to this is that Pebble still doesn’t have a touchscreen so the apps won’t have the same experience you will get on Android Wear smartwatches. According to Pebble’s official blog, the integration was possible because of “open approach Google built into Android’s notification system.” Now your Pebble will allow to reply and act on Android Wear notifications (requires Firmware v2.9+) for apps like Hangouts (you’ll need the Android Wear version of the Hangouts app installed on your phone).

Users can also set their own replies to notifications (limit is 5) and reply from their Pebble watch with SMS messaging apps. The new app also brings support for Android 4.0+ devices and fixes issues with WhatsApp notifications. In the year 2014, over 720,000 Android Wear devices were shipped out of a total of 4.6 million smart wearable bands, said a recent report in Canalys. According to the report,  Pebble did much better shipping over a total of 1 million units from its 2013 launch through to the end of 2014 and that time software updates, more apps and price cuts are believed to have helped with its sales in the second half of the year. With the Android Wear notifications now coming to Pebble, the reasons to love this simple watch just keep growing.