A Facebook smartwatch is reportedly in the works but the details sound so bad it’s unlikely it’s being considered seriously.
The Verge said that there will be two cameras in the smartwatch. The first one in front of the display is meant for video calling, while the second 1080p auto-focus camera can be used for capturing video footage when detached from the steel frame.
Facebook allegedly wants to partner with accessories brands, to put the smartwatch body into backpacks and the like.
According to the report, Facebook is planning to release this product in 2022 with a price of around $400. That’s in the same price range as the latest $399 Apple Watch Series 6, and two times the cost of the still decent $199 Apple Watch 3.
Apart from the cameras, there will be a huge focus on health and messaging features, as previously reported by The Information.
Facebook is also believed to be in talks with wireless carriers so the smartwatch can get LTE support without needing an Apple or Android smartphone.
This is likely another shot by Facebook to enter the consumer electronics business again. The last time they tried making a Facebook phone with HTC back in 2013 flopped hard they abandoned the software months after release.
Since Apple and Google started tightening protection for consumer data harvested from its smartphones, Facebook is probably looking for ways to go around it.