Pebble Blames Apple for Delayed iOS Pebble Time Watch App
Addressing the delayed release of the Pebble Time app, Pebble says that Apple has been dragging its feet on a requested “expedited” review of the app. Based on a screenshot of application submissions, Pebble indicates that it originally submitted the Time app on May 11th, and that initial release was approved for release a week later, on May 18th. The first shipments of the Time watches arrived on May 27th, a week later.
And
Pebble calls the delay in the app’s release an “obstruction” by Apple and asks Pebble customers to voice their concerns to Apple using the #FreeOurPebbleTime tag on Twitter and Facebook. A user on the Kickstarter page sums up the situation by calling the Time a “paper weight” without the compatible iPhone app. With the app unavailable, Pebble recommends that Time hardware users “borrow an Android device from friends or family to perform initial setup, add cool watchfaces, or install standalone apps that don’t require a paired smartphone.”
Honestly, I can’t say I’m surprised. As soon as Apple entered the watch game, my initial thoughts were that anyone trying to release an app that helps them compete with Apple in a product category would be met with resistance.
I’m sure the app will be released eventually. And it is possible that there are some issues with the app that Pebble isn’t disclosing. Either way, this shouldn’t really come as a surprise to Pebble. Let’s see what happens when Google tries.
https://twitter.com/abdophoto/status/591264249571250176?lang=en