According to informed sources, U.S. tech giant Meta has restarted its "Malibu 2" smartwatch project and intends to release its first product this year.
The smartwatch is anticipated to launch later this year and will feature health tracking capabilities along with a built-in Meta AI assistant.
Meta initially explored smartwatches approximately five years ago, once planning a version equipped with three cameras. However, the company shelved the project in 2022 following significant budget cuts within its Reality Labs division.
This development signals a robust resurgence for wearable devices, fueled by the ongoing artificial intelligence boom. Companies are increasingly introducing products embedded with AI technology, with a particular focus on health and fitness applications.
AI-enabled smart glasses represent a leading category in this trend. Meta's technology is utilized in glasses produced by Ray-Ban's parent company, EssilorLuxottica. According to data from Smart Analytics Global, shipments of such glasses climbed to nearly 6 million units last year.
It is understood that Meta currently has approximately four augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) glasses in development. The company is also reassessing its launch timelines to address concerns that introducing too many devices in a short period could confuse consumers. Sources also mentioned that in December of last year, employees in the Reality Labs division were informed that the release of the company's MR glasses, codenamed Phoenix, has been postponed to 2027.
In January of this year, Meta announced a pause on the international expansion of its Ray-Ban Display glasses, citing insufficient supply and strong demand in the U.S. market.
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