Facebook is working on a smartwatch that could allow users to send messages through its services, including WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger, and offer health and fitness features, according to a report. It says the smartwatch could go on sale next year, but Facebook has yet to share any information about it. Facebook’s smartwatch will join its growing hardware ecosystem that includes virtual reality headsets, video calling devices, and the upcoming augmented reality (AR) smart glasses. Facebook had shared eyewear plans with the Ray-Ban brand as part of Project Aria in September of last year.
According to a report Per The Information, Facebook is developing an Android-based smartwatch. However, it is not clear if the smartwatch will work with Google’s Wear operating system. Citing people with direct knowledge of the device, the report says that the smartwatch could go on sale next year. Facebook’s smartwatch (not the official name) is said to offer health and fitness features, which is not unusual for a smartwatch. But what’s interesting is that the smartwatch could allow users to send messages using Facebook services, presumably Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram. The smartwatch is also said to come with cellular connectivity. Facebook is also reportedly developing its own operating system that could power its future wearables.
Facebook’s smartwatch will be part of the company’s hardware ecosystem that currently includes Oculus virtual reality headsets and a series of video calling devices called Portal, which includes Portal TV, Portal, Portal +, and Portal Mini.
Facebook is also working on augmented reality glasses as part of its Aria Project. In September 2020, the company announced Ray-Ban branded eyewear plans that would augment real-world views with data or graphs from the internet. The partnership will combine Facebook applications and technologies with Luxottica brands, as well as Essilor lens technology to produce smart glasses.
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She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.