# Core Devices Time 2

5 Hacker News commenters recommended Core Devices Time 2 and 8 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 1 of 13 months.

**Verdict:** Fans back its plan to fund Pebble-style hardware and software and say it revived their watch on iOS. Critics distrust its ethics and its treatment of Rebble.

## Why people recommend it

- Backs leader who avoids past mistakes (2 comments): "I support Eric and Core Devices in building a business that makes enough money to fund new development of both hardware and software." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45961277)) "Eric seems to understand what caused that outcome, and is specifically looking to avoid making the same mistakes." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45972030))

## What people warn about

- Ethics doubts and closed-source licensing (4 comments): "The fact that Core Devices seems uninterested in contributing back tells me all I need to know about their ethics." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45961703)) "putting a more restrictive license on their contributions and wrapping a closed-source UI around it" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45961187)) "I don't see Core Devices doing anything good unless it appears to be affecting their bottom line" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45963818))
- Treatment of Rebble criticized (3 comments): "But you cannot do this to Rebble. You just can't, this is unacceptable." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45961349)) "the company is going to screw over the community that kept them alive" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45961461)) "Core screwing over Rebble is not OK (if it is true)" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45961362))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [Google Pixel Watch](https://hackerapproved.com/p/pixel-watch-5.md): 41 recommend
- [Samsung Galaxy Watch](https://hackerapproved.com/p/samsung-galaxy-watch.md): 11 recommend
- [Apple Watch SE](https://hackerapproved.com/p/apple-watch-se.md): 9 recommend
- [Amazfit Bip](https://hackerapproved.com/p/amazfit-bip.md): 8 recommend
- [Pebble Steel](https://hackerapproved.com/p/pebble-steel.md): 5 recommend

## Where to get it

- [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Core+Devices+Time+2+smartwatch+Pebble&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link)

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Core Devices Time 2", https://hackerapproved.com/p/core-devices-smartwatch/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).