Pebble just gave more superpowers to Android users who like to talk to their smartwatches. Along with expanding voice support for the Android version of the Pebble Time companion apps, the wearable tech manufacturer also announced that it has teamed up with Nuance to create a dictation API (Application Programming Interface).
Today's release makes it possible to reply to texts and emails with a tap of a button and a little sweet talk to the Pebble Time and Pebble Time Steel smartwatches linked to an Android handset. The update will hit the Time Round watch on Nov. 9.
Yes, Pebble's watches are in fact platform agnostic. However, iOS has been locked down so much so that this voice control update will require an act on Apple's part in order to work on iPhones.
Pebble's Time series of smartwatches already had some voice control options, though these were fairly rudimentary. And with the second half of Pebble's big announcement on Thursday, Oct. 15, the smartwatches could get a ton more voice support through the work of third parties.
Beyond giving users a deeper system for voice control, Pebble concocted a dictation API from Nuance's voice technology — the same Nuance that develops the Dragon NaturallySpeaking software.
The addition of voice unlocks a world of possibilities for wearable devices, says Nuance Mobile's Scott Taylor, senior vice president of devices.
"In seconds, messages dictated by voice are sent right from the wrist with just a touch of a button," says Taylor. "By opening the Dictation API to Pebble developers, more experiences will be delivered and consumers will be able to connect without having to look down at their device."
Equipping developers with the new voice control tools will help grow the ecosystem "exponentially" under Pebble's hardware, states Pebble's Kean Wong, vice president of Software Engineering.
"The value of a smartwatch is directly connected to its overall aesthetics, fit and intuitive functionality," says Wong. "Pebble is committed to offering not only a variety of smartwatches that blend into individual lifestyles, but also to expanding the usability of Pebble smartwatches worldwide through frequent software upgrades."
