The Android version of the updated Pebble app is currently available in beta form, but there are lingering issues with the functionality. While the quickly-growing smartwatch company would have liked to release the Pebble appstore on iOS and Android simultaneously, the delay “has purely been a matter of resources,” according to Kean Wong, head of software engineering.
It’s more difficult developing a single app that has to work flawlessly across multiple manufacturers, Android versions and Bluetooth stacks, so the team is taking its time ensuring that the software is as bug-free as possible before making it public. The beta version was released to encourage early adopters to report bugs and inconsistencies throughout the Android ecosystem, and it seems to be working.
At the same time, Pebble is looking for great Android developers — “Our Android users are very important to the whole Pebble team,” says Wong — to help the team reach parity going forward. This is true of many development firms, who don’t have the resources to prioritize Android (unless, like Cover, EverythingMe and Aviate, they are Android-exclusive).
The bottom line is that the Android version will arrive when it’s ready, and no sooner. This may be disappointing, but Android loyalists are used to waiting longer for new software than their iOS counterparts. Hopefully when it does arrive — sooner than later — it’s worth the wait. In the meantime, the iOS app is now available alongside the Pebble Steel, which we’ll be reviewing shortly.
[source]Pebble[/source]
