Meta is gearing up to unveil its first smartwatch, dubbed Malibu 2, later this year. This project marks a fresh attempt after a previous smartwatch initiative was shelved in 2022 during a cost-cutting spree within Reality Labs.
Shifting focus
Originally, the first prototypes of this smartwatch came with a bunch of camera options, even a detachable watch face for quick pics. But the team quickly realized that all that camera gear was taking up space meant for other important sensors, so they scrapped those ideas.
Now, with Malibu 2, they’re switching things up by ditching the cameras and focusing on something totally new: neural sensing. The tech behind this involves electromyography sensors, which catch those electrical signals your muscles and nerves send out when you move. This means the watch can pick up on those subtle little gestures.
By placing a stronger emphasis on input methods rather than standalone visuals, Meta appears to be envisioning this smartwatch as a tool for interfacing with smart glasses. Users would be able to scroll, click, or navigate menus with delicate finger movements.
Responding to market demand
Discussions among key executives, including Mark Zuckerberg, sparked the revival of this project, particularly after observing user feedback on the current smart glasses. While the Ray-Ban Meta glasses have shown increased popularity, users are looking for discreet methods to interact with AI assistants in public spaces.
In addition to its neural input capabilities, the Malibu 2 is expected to integrate health tracking functionalities. Preliminary reports suggest it will measure standard health metrics like heart rate and possibly stress indicators gauged through heart rate variability and skin temperature.
Beyond a conventional smartwatch
The Malibu 2 is gearing up to come with a built-in Meta AI assistant, and it’s not just gonna be a copy of your smartphone apps. Instead, it’s all about creating a seamless experience that ties everything together across different devices.
The comeback of the Malibu 2 is closely linked to how well Meta’s smart glasses are doing. There are reports saying they’ve already sold millions of Ray-Ban Meta glasses, and they’re expecting over 7 million units to ship in 2025, which is a huge jump! With such strong demand in the U.S., Meta is focusing on the domestic market first before thinking about going global.
Future plans
Looking ahead, Meta’s got big plans for its wearables beyond just the Malibu 2. They’re taking their time with product launches to keep things clear for everyone, and those high-end mixed reality glasses, called Phoenix, have been pushed back until 2027.
They’re aiming to produce a lot more wearables than they have in the past, hoping to hit around 20 to 30 million units each year by the end of 2026. This puts them right in the ring with big names like Apple and Samsung. But it looks like the Malibu 2 isn’t just another smartwatch like you’ve seen before.
Meta hasn’t shared many details about the Malibu 2 yet, like specs, pricing, or when it’ll be available. What’s clear is that instead of just being another typical smartwatch, Malibu 2 is shaping up to be a key part of Meta’s bigger vision for the future.
Source: The Information
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