A report back in February this year first carried by the Information alleged that social media giant Facebook was working on its first smartwatch with a focus on messaging and fitness. Further details of the Facebook smartwatch have now emerged showing the watch will feature a detachable display with two cameras for video recording, as well as a heart rate monitor.

The detachable display will enable users to take photos and record videos that could be assessed or shared with different apps. The design philosophy of the new watch is to enable users to carry out activities like recording videos and several other tasks that their smartphones can do. The Facebook smartwatch project is uncharted territory for the social media giant and could offer several opportunities and setbacks. The company seeks to leverage the expanding market of smart wearables by throwing its hat into the fray.

Privacy concerns are a critical component of the development of smart wearable devices. These smartwatches generate tons of data relating to the user’s daily activities across a broad spectrum. Hence Facebook will have to firm up its processes to assure potential users of the device, of utmost respect for their privacy.

Facebook seems interested in building more consumer-focused hardware to challenge the dominant mobile phone platform creators, Apple and Google. However, it is known that Facebook is collaborating with various companies on further expanding the scope of the revolutionary camera system. If it could be attached to other things like a backpack, then the versatility of this device will be further established.

Inside sources also indicated that the device could be made to function independently of a smartphone, as talks have continued with wireless carriers in the US. The device has also been mentioned as a possible connected device for a VR headset.

Although Facebook has not provided official information on the possible release of its first smartwatch, it could be out by the summer of 2022, according to the source. The price and the expected quantity to be produced for the Facebook smartwatch are still under wraps.

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Recently, rumors are swirling around that Facebook is developing a clone version of the popular Voice-based app Clubhouse. Now, a new report by The Information says that the Californian giant is also entering into the world of Smartwatches.

According to the report, Facebook is making a Smartwatch with emphasis on Messaging and Fitness. It may be called the ‘Facebook Watch’ but it’s just a guess and not confirmed yet. We already know that the company isn’t new to the world of Smart devices. In fact, it has launched a VR headset under its subsidiary Oculus VR.

Anyway, the company is said to focus on Message interaction in the Smartwatch. Users will be able to communicate with their friends on platforms like WhatsApp and Messenger. Now, you might wonder if it will require a Smartphone for integration and sync.

For this, Facebook seems to have a solution. The Watch will reportedly come with Cellular connectivity support so you don’t have to barge into your phone every time. This also suggests that the company is going to revamp the social media Apps for the tiny Wearable screens more.

Speaking of which, the report says that although the Watch will run on an Open-source version of Google’s Android, Facebook is working on its own Operating System. And the OS could debut in 2023 along with the Second-Generation of this Watch. In that year, the company is also reported to bring an AR Glass.

That said, apart from Messaging, Facebook is also said to be focussing more on Health features that will be present in the Smartwatch. Some of them are extensive Workout plans/Data, Track workouts, interact with Trainers, and integrate with Fitness services like Peloton.

The wearable segment is said to get a big boon in 2021 and beyond. Just like the report says, Facebook seems to have found the right choice of segment to venture into as Smartwatches are becoming equally important like Smartphones.

Going by the trend, we can also expect other features like Heart rate monitoring(PPG), Blood Oxygen(SpO2) and Stress monitoring, aggressive pricing(maybe around $399 to rival Apple Watch 6).

Facebook’s Smartwatch will reportedly go on sale sometime next year i.e., 2022 so we will have to wait for a few months to start seeing leaks about it.

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(via)

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