Pebble Offers $1M to Develop Smart Strap

Crowdfunding connoisseur Pebble turns the tables in its latest venture: The company is pledging $1 million toward the development and commercialization of smart straps for its wearables.

Since unveiling the open hardware accessory platform early this month, Pebble has been solicited by developers, hackers, and brands.

In a surprise move, though, the gadget maker is opening the competition to everyday folks around the world, with an eye for technology and a love for tinkering.

"If you have an idea and want to be part of the smart strap revolution, this is your chance!" Pebble wrote in an update. "Get a team together, build a prototype and put your project up on a crowdfunding platform."

The company introduced the smart strap early this month, alongside the unveiling of Pebble Time Steel. Instead of cramming the smartwatch with sensors, the removable band will carry that weight, be it in the form of a GPS, heart rate monitor, NFC, or battery extension.

"It's simple," the company said, "straps can now contain electronics and sensors to interface directly with apps running on Pebble Time."

Keeping an eye on Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and other sites, Pebble will monitor smart strap-related projects, and help finance the best ones.

"We truly understand the value of backing projects in their early state, having started that way ourselves," the company said. Not everyone will get the thumbs-up from Pebble, which promised to use its "best judgement," supporting projects it finds most promising and innovative. To ensure your work gets noticed, tweet to Pebble, or email the developer experience team via [email protected].

With the help of Pebble's $1 million—to be allocated across various designs—any number of projects could evolve into wide-release products, much like the Pebble smartwatch itself.

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Really wow the company—like Spark.io and Seeed Studio did—and your smart strap could be mentioned in a Pebble Kickstarter update or on the company website.

Still conceptual ideas, Pebble's this week featured two early favorites: Seeed Studio's Xadow modular smart strap system, and the Spark Electron (pictured).

Pebble returned to its crowdfunding roots last month with the launch of the next-gen, color e-paper display Pebble Time smartwatch. Boasting a microphone attached to a thinner, curved design, the Time syncs with Apple and Android smartphones.

Set to start shipping in May, the gadget is still open for backing online, though available rewards are limited in the last week of funding. If you don't make the Kickstarter deadline, the Pebble Time will hit digital shelves later this year for $199.