So much for the alleged success of ultra-generic, .com domains: Pebble.com is no more.
The smart watch manufacturer has shut down, and it’s joining Fitbit.
Select members of its workforce and the Pebble technology and patents will now migrate to a company with a domain “brandable.”
It seems rather ironic, that a generic domain acquired in early 2015 is now becoming obsolete.
Such “ultra generic” or “ultra premium” domain names do sell for a substantial amount of money.
There is no information on the price paid to acquire Pebble.com from its previous owner. The company began with GetPebble.com, and Pebble.com was an obvious upgrade.
The Pebble range of watches have a strong followship, after a Kickstarter campaign raised more than $12 million dollars.
Support for these watches will continue for a while, but overall, the brand is being swallowed by Fitbit.
I wouldn’t be surprised if maintaining production costs Vs. demand Vs. profits were over estimated. They may have jumped ship before it sank to take home what was left in the pot or reinvest it.
How does a failed product make a generic domain name ‘obsolete?’
Steve – It’s now a tainted brand. Ultra generics aren’t really popping up from the rest of the crowd either, see the failed rebranding of Snapchat to Snap.