Pebble updates put Health front and center

This week the folks behind the Pebble smartwatch line are delivering a set of updates to put Pebble Health at the forefront of their wearable devices. With the latest update to the iPhone at (version 3.6) and the latest update to the Android app (version 3.9), Pebble devices will have access to what Pebble describes as "Beefy Pebble Health Updates". While not every Pebble will receive all feature upgrades, all Pebble devices will have an update of some sort.

This set of updates brings on the first Pebble Health-enabled watchface, available in the Pebble App Store. Lucky you! Users will find watchfaces and apps will be available more abundantly across the Pebblesphere with Pebble Health stats from now on due to the release of a new API released today.

Below you'll find the full release notes for the update for your Pebble Time device first, then the iOS app, then the Android app. You'll have to update your iOS or Android app first before you're able to update your Pebble Time to the newest available firmware.

Pebble Time Firmware 3.9 Release Notes

• Pebble Health tracking is more accurate and can show distance in kilometers. Toggle distance settings in your Pebble smartphone app.

• Developers may now show Pebble Health data in apps and watchfaces with the Health API.

• MMS support: Incoming MMS notifications now show descriptive icons and any text included with the MMS.

• Speed improvements for Pebble Time and Time Steel, including snappier animations from Pebble Time Round.

• Improved Low Power Mode: Keep your Pebble functioning as a watch for a few more hours when the battery is critically low. Alarms, the backlight, and softer vibration remain while Bluetooth and activity tracking shut off to save power.

• Improved low battery warnings based on time left with power instead of percentage remaining.

• Under-the-hood fixes and stability improvements.

• To update to the latest firmware, select Menu " Support " Update Your Pebble within the Pebble Time app for iOS or Android.

Pebble Time App for iPhone 3.6 Release Notes

• NEW Custom Text Replies

• NEW Toggle Pebble Health settings between miles or kilometers (requires a Time-series watch running Firmware 3.9 or higher).

• Under-the-hood fixes and stability improvements.

• Download 3.6 from the iTunes App Store.

Pebble Time App for Android 3.9.0 Release Notes

• NEW Toggle Pebble Health settings between miles or kilometers (requires a Time-series watch running Firmware 3.9 or higher).

• NEW Send Text App for Time-series watches

• NEW Reply to call with SMS: Can't answer? No problemo. Send a voice note, emoji, or custom message to let 'em know you can't pick up the phone.

• Under-the-hood fixes and stability improvements.

• Download 3.8.0 from the Google Play Store.

What you might want to check out first is the Send Text app for Android devices. With this you'll be able to send voice notes, emoji, and all manner of messages to your recent or favorite contacts.

For iOS, seek the custom text replies specifically. This feature will allow you to send custom responses to received iOS messages – but note that you'll need text replies enabled from a compatible carrier, or it won't work!

Look for these updates coming down over the course of the rest of the week, starting today.