Meta Plans Launch of AI-Integrated Smartwatch in 2025

Meta is preparing to enter the smartwatch market with plans to launch its first AI-powered wearable device in 2025. The product, internally referred to as "Malibu 2," will offer integrated Meta AI capabilities alongside health tracking features, signaling an increased commitment to intelligent wearable technology.

The company initially began developing an Android-based smartwatch in 2021, experimenting with hardware features such as a detachable camera and support for multiple camera modules. However, the project was paused in 2022 when Meta's Reality Labs division—responsible for overseeing its augmented and virtual reality initiatives—faced significant financial pressures. This included deep cost-cutting measures and the layoff of over 1,000 employees in January.

According to sources cited by The Information, these reductions led Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to announce a strategic shift: Reality Labs investment would now primarily target glasses and other wearable devices. The decision to revive the smartwatch project is understood as part of this broader realignment.

Currently, Meta’s wearable portfolio includes virtual reality headsets and the Ray-Ban smartglasses, which have seen positive reception, particularly in the United States. The company is also developing four distinct models of augmented reality and mixed-reality glasses. Timelines for some of these products have shifted; for example, the mixed-reality headset codenamed "Phoenix" is now expected to debut in early 2027, a delay from the original schedule.

The upcoming smartwatch will complement Meta’s existing Ray-Ban smartglasses, potentially offering seamless integration between devices. AI integration in wearables typically enables features such as advanced health monitoring, activity recognition, voice assistants, and real-time data analysis. While Meta has not disclosed detailed specifications for Malibu 2, its focus on health tracking aligns with industry trends leveraging AI to enhance personal wellness applications.

The renewed push into wearables follows industry competition from technology firms expanding their presence in the consumer AI hardware sector. The smartwatch’s success will likely depend on Meta’s ability to integrate its AI software—including voice, vision, and contextual intelligence—into a compact, user-friendly device.

For now, further details—including geographic availability, pricing, and specific AI functionalities—remain unannounced. The rollout underscores Meta's ongoing strategy to diversify its portfolio beyond social media and deepen its role in the growing AI and hardware market.

Source: dataconomy.com