Facebook is developing a smart watch that will focus on messaging and health features, according to a new report from The information. Users will be able to send messages with Facebook services like Messenger and WhatsApp, and it will work with a mobile connection without a smartphone attached.
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Health features, such as options to monitor workouts with friends or communicate with coaches, will be included, and the watch will be able to connect to services provided by health and fitness companies like Peloton. The next Facebook watch will run on a version of Google’s Android software.
Facebook plans to sell the smart watch close to its production cost, which is also what it does with Oculus headsets. It is not known what the price will be, but the prices of competing products range from $ 150 to $ 400 +.
A smart watch is unlikely to go well with those who care about Facebook data collection. Amazon recently launched a fitness band “Halo” that was ridiculed for being invasive. Facebook already manufactures some consumer hardware products, including the aforementioned Oculus and Portal cameras and tablets.
A Facebook smart watch would need to compete with the Apple Watch, which is one of the best-selling wearables on the market. Just this morning, a report suggested that more than 100 million people worldwide have an Apple Watch. Facebook is also working on its own Ray-Ban branded smart glasses, which would compete with rumors of products coming from Apple in the coming years.
Facebook plans to start selling its smart watch next year, with a second generation planned for as early as 2023. The information says development is “far away”, but there is always a chance that the product will be discarded.