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Jason Cipriani/CNET
Android users have been able to install third-party apps from nearly day one on a Pebble smartwatch to enhance music playback capabilities found on the watch. One such enhancement was the ability to control playback volume from your wrist. iOS users, on the other hand (no pun intended), were out in the cold when it came to controlling volume from the watch.
Early in June, Pebble released firmware version 2.2 for the watch and updated companion apps for both iOS and Android. Among the new features, which included the ability to reorganize the launcher menu, was also the ability to natively adjust volume levels from the watch.
It’s not completely obvious how the new feature works, so I thought it was worth writing up for fellow Pebble owners.
Make sure you’re running the latest version of the Pebble app from the App or Play Store respectively. You’ll also need to be sure you’re running at least firmware version 2.2 on your watch. You can check this by launching the Pebble app on your smartphone and going to Support > Check for updates. Let the app download and install the update if one is found.
Once you’ve confirmed you’re running the latest and greatest Pebble has to offer, launch the Music app on your watch and begin playing some tunes. Adjust the volume of said tunes by holding in middle (select) button on the watch for a second or two. You’ll feel a short vibration and the icons next to the top and bottom buttons will change from fast-forward or rewind to speakers. The top button will naturally up the volume level, with the bottom button turning it down.
This was a much-needed — if not often requested — feature for Pebble to incorporate with the watch.
