Meta, the parent company of Facebook, may introduce a device this year that could compete with the Apple Watch.
Redaksiya reports that according to "The Information," the smartwatch is being developed under the codename "Malibu 2" and will be equipped with health tracking tools, similar to other popular smartwatches including the Apple Watch. The watch's software will also include Meta's artificial intelligence assistant.
Furthermore, the two digits in the codename might refer to a previously halted smartwatch project. That watch was reportedly going to have an internal camera, but there is currently no information on whether the new watch will have this feature. Details about the watch are limited for now. However, considering Meta already has VR headsets and accessories, as well as Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses, this is not such a far-fetched idea. For example, a Meta smartwatch could be used for gesture-based control of the aforementioned devices.
Meta is reducing its spending in the virtual reality sector. The company had laid off over 1,000 employees working on its metaverse vision. Meta's Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth stated at the time that the company would focus its metaverse efforts on wearable devices, which could lead to renewed interest in smartwatches.