Pebble Smartwatch Adds iOS Email Notifications

Pebble on Thursday introduced a long-awaited email notification feature, providing iOS users with the ability to receive email alerts from any IMAP or Gmail account on their smartwatch.

The system is not a push notification, but rather checks for new email every 15 minutes and sends messages to the Pebble in scrollable stacks.

Those sporting a Pebble smartwatch can update the iOS app to version 1.2 for access. Once connected, tap the message icon at the bottom of the main app screen, then click "Add account" on the email notifications screen. Select which type of account to set up, sign in, and accept the app's terms.

Users can also temporarily disable individual accounts to cut back on clutter. In the app's settings, a blue bar highlights active accounts; simply tap the bar once to turn it off. Tap the bar again — this time colored grey —to re-enable notifications.

The new version of the Pebble smartwatch app is available now for free download in the Apple iTunes Store.

The smartphone-connected watch made waves when it became the most-funded Kickstarter project ever (at the time), raising $10 million on the crowd-funding site and selling out within a month.

Ultimately, first shipments of the customizable smartwatch were delayed due to demand; the first shipment left the factory in late January. In May, Pebble got a $15 million boost in Series A funding from Charles River Ventures — money the company said would be used to help keep up with customer demand.

For more, see PCMag's review of the Pebble Smartwatch and the slideshow above. Also check out The Apple Smartwatch's Top Competition.