Apparently dissatisfied with aspiring users’ personal data on its platforms, Facebook hopes to obtain its health data as well. The company is building a smartwatch as its next onslaught on hardware, and the device could debut as early as next year, according to a report on Friday. the information.
The smartwatch runs on Android, although it is unclear whether it will use Google’s Wear OS, as Facebook is trying to build its own operating system for future hardware endeavors, according to people with direct knowledge of the device who spoke with the company. agency in the condition of anonymity. The watch will access the Internet through a cellular connection, so that no smartphone will be needed and will have messaging, health and fitness capabilities.
Naturally, all of these features will have built-in compatibility with Facebook’s existing platforms, as the company is undoubtedly looking to leverage its vast social network to gain an advantage over Fitbit, Apple and other titans in the smartwatch space. The device allows users to follow their workouts with friends, get in touch with their trainer and offer some kind of quick chat feature without the need to pick up a smartphone. In the future, Facebook also plans to make its devices compatible with health and fitness products from companies like Peloton, in addition to launching versions capable of interacting with future Facebook devices, such as the augmented reality glasses line. supposedly cooking.
Facebook plans to launch the first version of its smartwatch next year, with plans for a second generation launched as early as 2023, a person informed about the timeline told Information. Although the report did not go into specific price points, it states that “Facebook is expected to sell its watch close to the cost of producing it”, which is a tactic the company used with its Oculus virtual reality headsets.
According to the information, Facebook’s chief technology officer, Mike Schroepfer, said at a general meeting for employees in December that the company planned to continue to invest in hardware and increase its investments in portable devices. The smartwatch would join Facebook’s growing hardware ecosystem, which includes its Oculus VR headsets and Portal video streaming devices, along with several rumors projects supposedly in the works. Facebook did not immediately respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment, but we will update this blog when they do.
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Given the Facebook history of privacy errors, this newest venture looks like a disaster waiting to happen. The company fell then several red flags over the years, to indicate that passing on your health data to them is a very stupid idea. If this smartwatch ends up seeing the light of day (the report said that development is far ahead, but Facebook can still do the project), I give two or three months before the scandalous headlines start rolling, followed by Facebook launching more apology in half.
We’ve been through this cycle so many times, folks. I’m tired.