Facebook parent company Meta may launch an Apple Watch competitor this year. The Information reports that the smartwatch, codenamed “Malibu 2”, will feature health tracking tools similar to those found in other popular smartwatches, including the Apple Watch. The watch’s software will include an artificial intelligence assistant called Meta AI.
The second number in the codename could refer to a previous smartwatch project that was ultimately shelved. It was said that the watch would have a built-in camera, but it is unknown whether the new watch will include this feature.
Details about the watch are scarce, but the idea isn’t too far-fetched, considering that Meta already has a line of VR headsets and accessories, as well as the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses. For example, the Meta smartwatch could be used to control the aforementioned devices with gestures.
Meta is cutting costs on its virtual reality efforts, recently laying off more than 1,000 employees who worked on the company’s metaverse vision. Meta CEO Andrew Bosworth said at the time that the company would focus its metaverse efforts on wearables, which could explain the renewed interest in smartwatches.
Credits:
Image:
