SOMA Magazine SOMA Spring Fashion Issue | Page 39

available on the Pebble. “We don’t necessarily try to redesign the watch, but rather the experience,” says Solomon. “Then again, I speak from a nerd zone.” He means that, in Pebble models other than the petite and pretty Pebble Round, the priority is on performance rather than looks. Which is not to say that the Pebble Time watches are ugly. They’re not. They’re perhaps a bit less slick looking than some, but that comes down to carefully weighed decisions. One interesting detail that differentiates the Pebble Time from competitors, for example, is the use of external buttons rather than a touch screen. “If we have a touch screen, what does that bring to the table?” asks Solomon, referencing the physically active community that makes up the majority of Pebble adopters. The Pebble watches are very water resistant, but a touch screen does not work underwater, or when wet. Looking at a screen and having to touch multiple spots on it to perform simple tasks takes too much time and attention. It’s an unneeded interruption. Not to mention, the buttons deliver a more typically watch-like experience. Another interesting tech detail is the always on, color e-paper display with LED backlight. It may look less sharp than some, but it does the job, remains visible even in strong sunlight, and takes up much less battery Y