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I am extremely skeptical that this is the reason Pebble failed. Most consumers are not privacy oriented, and all of the major competitors in the market require the same activation process that Pebble "forced" onto users. If you wanted a watch that doesn't forcefully tether you to a phone, you didn't want a smartwatch.

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That’s funny, because I’M a consumer, and I’m TELLING you that’s what I want in a smart watch. I guess I just don’t exist. Hilariously, neither does the Pebble.

Yes, that is why I said most consumers, not all consumers. I am sorry Pebble did not fit your use case, but it is a tad hyperbolic to assume that is why the company failed or that your ethical requirements represents the majority of consumers. As a Pebble developer and extremely active member of the community I can assure you that isn't the case.

Look at how the watch’s community failed to grow beyond certain limits, and how small the community remained, despite insistent proclamations that the device is well-designed. I think that speaks for itself.

Honestly it failed to grow with general consumers but it's been a pretty huge it with those who know about it. I got one for my wife and she loved it but literally nobody knew what it was and most people mistook it for an Apple watch.

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