Pebble Time iOS App in Limbo, Pebble Asks Customers for Help

Pebble's latest smart watch, the Pebble Time, has already begun shipping out to early Kickstarter backers, but customers receiving the device may not be able to use it with an iPhone because the accompanying Pebble Time Watch app has not yet been approved by Apple.

According to a Kickstarter update posted this afternoon, the Pebble Time app has been in limbo since May 22, spending more than two weeks going through Apple's app review process without approval.

pebbletimereview
The unreleased Pebble Time Watch app was first submitted to the App Store in early May, and approved on May 18. Pebble went on to push a bug fix for the app on May 22, requesting an expedited review from Apple, which was not granted. Pebble has also been unable to add Pebble Time support to its existing iPhone app because that app has been stuck in the reviewing process since April.

The Pebble Time iPhone app, as we've all noticed, is not yet live on the iTunes AppStore. It remains "in review." This unexpected circumstance pains us as much it does backers with watches ready to set up. We're doing all we can to mitigate the delay and make Pebble Time Watch for iPhone available for download.

We appreciate you hanging in there with us while we navigate this obstacle.

It is not clear why Apple has delayed approval of the two Pebble iPhone apps, and Pebble has not shared details on conversations it may have had with the company regarding the review process. It's possible Pebble has violated an App Store rule leading to the delay, but there's also the possibility that Apple has opted not to approve the app as it competes with the Apple Watch.

Pebble Time
In April, navigation app SeaNav US was rejected for mentioning Pebble support in its App Store description, a violation of an App Store guideline that prevents apps from highlighting competing platforms. Other apps that mention Pebble support have been approved, however, and there are many Pebble-focused apps in the App Store.

In order to motivate Apple to approve its app, Pebble is asking its customers to contact Apple on its behalf, reaching out to Apple through the company's feedback system and through Twitter and Facebook. "Together, we can kindly express our desire to see the App Store #FreeOurPebbleTime with a speedy approval of Pebble Time Watch for iPhone, reads the blog post.

Update 12:08 PM 6/5: Pebble has updated its Kickstarter page to notify customers that Apple has now approved the Pebble Time Watch app. It should be rolling out to customers soon.

Top Rated Comments

Arran Avatar
109 months ago
Breathe Pebble. It's just an app ;)

Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
macsrcool1234 Avatar
109 months ago
So Pebble submits an app well ahead of it’s release date and then holds it back, submitting the updated version just days before it needs to go live, and thats Apple’s fault.

Sounds more like trying to cover your ass, Pebble.
Sounds more like you have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

This is not typical.....
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Watabou Avatar
109 months ago
Hang on, going by the image of the status page, it looks like it got approved by Apple, but the Pebble developers rejected it and pushed out a bug fix apparently, and they submitted that on May 22. It's June 3 now. Basically, it's still within Apple's iOS average review time ('http://appreviewtimes.com/'), if only a little above average.

So what's the problem?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wesk702 Avatar
109 months ago
('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/06/03/pebble-time-ios-app-in-review-limbo/')


Pebble's latest smart watch, the Pebble Time, has already begun shipping out to early Kickstarter backers, but customers receiving the device may not be able to use it with an iPhone because the accompanying Pebble Time Watch app has not yet been approved by Apple.

According to a Kickstarter update ('https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/597507018/pebble-time-awesome-smartwatch-no-compromises/posts/1251424') posted this afternoon, the Pebble Time app has been in limbo since May 22, spending more than two weeks going through Apple's app review process without approval.



The unreleased Pebble Time Watch app was first submitted to the App Store in early May, and approved on May 18. Pebble went on to push a bug fix for the app on May 22, requesting an expedited review from Apple, which was not granted. Pebble has also been unable to add Pebble Time support to its existing iPhone app ('http://appshopper.com/lifestyle/pebble-smartwatch') because that app has been stuck in the reviewing process since April.It is not clear why Apple has delayed approval of the two Pebble iPhone apps, and Pebble has not shared details on conversations it may have had with the company regarding the review process. It's possible Pebble has violated an App Store rule leading to the delay, but there's also the possibility that Apple has opted not to approve the app as it competes with the Apple Watch.



In April, navigation app SeaNav US ('http://appshopper.com/navigation/seanav-us-nautical-charts-navigation') was rejected for mentioning Pebble support in its App Store description, a violation of an App Store guideline that prevents apps from highlighting competing platforms. Other apps that mention Pebble support have been approved, however, and there are many Pebble-focused apps in the App Store.

In order to motivate Apple to approve its app, Pebble is asking its customers to contact Apple on its behalf, reaching out to Apple through the company's feedback system and through Twitter and Facebook. "Together, we can kindly express our desire to see the App Store #FreeOurPebbleTime with a speedy approval of Pebble Time Watch for iPhone, reads the blog post.

Article Link: Pebble Time iOS App in Limbo, Pebble Asks Customers for Help ('https://www.macrumors.com/2015/06/03/pebble-time-ios-app-in-review-limbo/')
So Pebble,
Let me get this straight. You guys openly mock Apple and the watch through several ads, copy their style and color pairing(red gold I'm looking at you), now suddenly you need Apple to kindly open up the gates to their walled garden so your business can even exist? Not to mention blaming Apple for the late submission and crying about it when Apple, your competitor, won't expedite your platform on their home court. Good luck, you guys are definitely going to need it. Imagine if your business actually succeeds and takes off more than the AW. Apple can shut you out with a click of the mouse.

You guys are screwed, one way or another. Seriously, you brought this on yourself. Good one Eric, hope you have resources to provide a good severance package for your 150+ employees...oh wait.

At least you have your night job as Seth Rogan's body double.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
odditie Avatar
109 months ago
If I was Apple I would want to make sure I either approved this as fast or slightly faster than a normal app to ensure there was no question of their actions.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hlfway2anywhere Avatar
109 months ago
So Pebble submits an app well ahead of it’s release date and then holds it back, submitting the updated version just days before it needs to go live, and thats Apple’s fault.

Sounds more like trying to cover your ass, Pebble.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
Apple Watch Edition Gold 2015

Original Apple Watch is Now Obsolete, Including $17,000 Gold Model

Monday October 2, 2023 9:15 am PDT by
All first-generation Apple Watch models released in 2015 were added to Apple's obsolete products list on September 30, according to an internal memo obtained by MacRumors. As a result, these outdated "Series 0" watches are no longer eligible for repairs or other service at Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Provider locations. The list of obsolete models includes the first-generation...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Mac Trade-In Changes May Indicate New Model to Launch This Month

Tuesday October 3, 2023 6:30 am PDT by
Apple may be proceeding with plans to release a new Mac model this month, according to potentially related information obtained by MacRumors. Details pertaining to imminent changes to Mac trade-ins provided to MacRumors by a verified source suggest that Apple will likely begin accepting new models for trade-in this month. Similar changes in June coincided with WWDC, when Apple began accepting...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...