Darryl Boxberger
Meta's now-cancelled smartwatch, codenamed "Milan," was slated to feature two cameras in addition to technologies to allow the user to use their entire-arm gestures as a device controller.
Meta's Reality Labs division was in charge of the development of the previously rumored device. According to a report on Thursday, the process has been stopped, and will likely not see the light of day.
The device was reportedly in development for two years. It was planned to incorporate activity tracking, music playback, and messaging like other smartwatches, but also two cameras and electromyography technology.
The smartwatch was also rumored to feature electromyography technology, and could allow users control with nerve signals from the wrist. The camera at the back of the watch was reportedly interfering with the accuracy of the control scheme.
According to Thursday's report by Bloomberg, there was also a camera on the face of the watch for video calling. It was originally scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2023 at a price point "around $349."
First reported in February of 2021, Facebook, was rumored to be developing a smartwatch with health and messaging features, akin to the Apple Watch.
The smartwatch was rumored to feature a removable display with built-in cameras and heart rate monitor in June 2021. In October 2021, the smartwatch was leaked in photos to feature a rounded-rectangular face.
Malcolm Owen
Andrew O'Hara
William Gallagher
13 Comments
FaceBookMETA doesn’t realize people don’t like them or trust them. Even those that use them, don’t. I honestly believe this was cancelled because, like the FaceBook phone before it, they saw the handwriting on the wall and realized that it would never fly.
It’s sad when Facebook is more innovative than Google and Samsung.
It takes incredible technical chops to create a viable device such as this.