Meta Announces Smartwatch to Rival Apple
Meta has announced it will launch a new smartwatch, entering the market as a direct competitor to Apple and Samsung. The move signals Meta's continued expansion into hardware and the wearables market.
- This initiative is a revival of a previously shelved smartwatch project from 2022, internally codenamed 'Malibu 2'. The original concept, which included a detachable body and dual cameras, was cancelled due to cost-cutting and technical challenges within Meta's Reality Labs division. - The strategic direction has shifted from a camera-focused device to one centered on neural input and AI. The previous camera design was reportedly scrapped because it interfered with the integration of electromyography (EMG) sensors, a technology Meta views as critical for controlling future AR glasses. - Key features are expected to include standard health-tracking capabilities, such as heart rate and sleep monitoring, along with a deeply integrated Meta AI assistant. - The smartwatch is positioned as a central control hub for Meta's expanding ecosystem of wearables, rather than just a standalone competitor to the Apple Watch. It is expected to work in tandem with the Ray-Ban smart glasses and future mixed-reality devices. - The decision to restart the project was reportedly made after a high-level strategy meeting led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, signaling a renewed focus on wearables within the company's AI-first strategy. - The launch may coincide with the release of updated Ray-Ban smart glasses. Meanwhile, Meta has delayed the release of its more advanced mixed-reality glasses, codenamed "Phoenix," until 2027 to avoid customer confusion from too many simultaneous hardware launches. - Meta is entering a competitive market where Apple holds a 23% global market share. The success of Meta's Ray-Ban glasses, which reportedly shipped nearly 6 million units last year, likely provided the confidence for this renewed push into wearables.
