Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The rumored Meta smartwatch might not be as dead as we thought

Here's what to know about Meta's potential smartwatch release

When the Apple Watch first came out, we couldn’t buy them fast enough. Being able to check your apps got a lot easier without the worry of dropping your phone. Though Apple has been the dominant force in smartwatches, Meta might just try to give them a run for their money.

While plans for the watch were reportedly scrapped last year in favor of other projects — Meta also laid off 13% of its staff last fall — tech insider Kuba Wojciechowski recently tweeted that an anonymous source shared that the watch was still in development, and offered up details (and photos).

Leak: A new version of the @Meta smartwatch is in development, new details and photos below👇 pic.twitter.com/mlEgEQvWp5

— Kuba Wojciechowski 🌺 (@Za_Raczke) January 31, 2023

The story so far

If you thought all of the layoffs at Meta would put a spanner in their plans for their new smartwatch, think again. This whole thing started with some information leaked information back in 2021, according to Bloomberg. The first version of the watch was reportedly supposed to drop in 2022 (when the project actually was canceled), with another model to release in 2023, because, you know, you have to have a new version every year. As it’s already 2023 without any idea of an initial product release, we know that timeline is wrong.

Now, Wojciechowski’s source says that while Meta’s V1 version of the watch has been canceled, the company would like users to get used to its form factor since it plans to use it for other Metaverse devices in the future. Looking at the leaked photos, the details are pretty similar to the first photos of the smartwatch. There’s a slight change in the face of the design and some features were added, but the general form is still the same. For those who love the option of removing the face while keeping the band on, don’t worry, that is still intact. That feature would allow the watch to be used with more devices related to Meta, whatever those will entail.

Wojciechowski noted that the source says Meta plans to use a custom version of Android for the device (and not Wear OS).

Coming from Facebook, we should probably expect the usual things like fitness tracking, sleep tracking, and all of the normal apps to manage through your account. Of course, that’s if the rumored watch sees the light of day (or if it’s shelved again). 

And whether the public wants another smartwatch option or not is, of course, another story.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Dannielle Beardsley
Dannielle has written for various websites, online magazines, and blogs. She loves everything celebrity and her favorite…
An iconic Tag Heuer watch is back, and we couldn’t be happier
The TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper will be the flagship in a series of maritime models
TAG Heuer Skipper watches

TAG Heuer, renowned for its long history in sports timepieces, has an illustrious legacy in various high-level sports, including motor racing, skiing, horse racing, and the Olympic Games. Of course, many horology lovers will know the brand more for its pop culture status, having appeared on the wrist of Jason Bourne, and making a prominent appearance during an episode of Breaking Bad. However, it was the world of high-level yachting that gave birth to one of its most beloved and distinctive chronographs — the iconic "Skipper."After a 40-year hiatus, the Skipper is back; with its brilliant colors and distinctive design, it appeals to both sailing enthusiasts and watch collectors.
A nod to its sailing heritage
After making its debut in 1968, the Skipper immediately gained popularity among both experienced and novice sailors. The earliest models of the Skipper were based on the renowned Carrera chronograph, even if later iterations used the Autavia casing. Today, TAG Heuer pays homage to its maritime past by drawing inspiration for the new generation Skipper from the glassbox Carrera, which was just released.

In sailing regattas when time is of the essence, the TAG Heuer Carrera Skipper's readability is unparalleled. A bezel would have prevented the glassbox from extending all the way to the case's edge, obscuring the clever "curved flange" display and the strategically positioned chronograph counters. This watch performs admirably in all lighting circumstances, enabling sailors to monitor the vital "pre-start" period before the start of the race.

Read more
These 8 men’s watch brands might topple Rolex, Cartier, and Bulova
Watch brands poised to overtake the big dogs of the luxury timepiece market
Man adjusting his tie wearing a watch

There has been one name at the top of the pyramid of luxury watches for over a century. And despite other competitors, like Cartier and Bulova, Rolex has always been the peak of luxury when it comes to the timepiece industry. But the times are a changing. Now that the number of brands has multiplied exponentially over the years, there are new challengers to the throne of the greatest luxury watch company in the business.

Some of these companies are not new to the game, some of them have much more affordable options than the luxury market provides, but all of them are offering high-quality watches with exceptionally respectable price points that help them rival Rolex and the other brands at the top of the pyramid. Here are the men's watch brands that are primed to take over the industry.

Read more
Can’t get your hands on a Rolex? We may know why they’re so hard to come by
Everyone's favorite watch brand can be hard to source - here's why
Arm with Rolex Submariner on it

Whether you watch movies, listen to music, or read books, you have likely heard that Rolex watches are the pinnacle of stylish luxury in men's watches. Gorden Gecko sported a Rolex when he became the picture of wealth on Wall Street. Elvis Presley got one of only 100 Rolex King Midas watches for selling out the Houston Astrodome for six straight days. The brand has always been the gold standard in men's luxury.

However, that may not be the case any longer, as the brand seems to be losing its grip on the watch pyramid of superiority. 

Read more