To this day, almost exactly a year ago, we told you that Facebook (now Meta) had invested nearly a billion dollars to develop a smartwatch that would be released in the summer of 2022. Reportedly made of stainless steel, the projected price of $400 indicated that the device would be made to compete with the Apple Watch. Thanks to a modular design, the screen can be detachable and users with dual cameras can send photos to Facebook or Instagram.
Development of the Meta watch has stopped
The watch would also track users’ activities, play music and send messages. And the smartwatch would become one of the devices that allows people to communicate with each other in the metaverse where people mingle like digital avatars.
Employees working on the watch, codenamed Milan, were reportedly told that development of the watch has been halted. The timepiece is set to hit the market next spring for $349.
The prototype seen by Bloomberg included the following features:
- A detachable dial with a gold colored case. There are two buttons on the side, one a long pill-shaped button and the other a small round one.
- A 5 MP camera on the front of the watch and a 12 MP camera on the back for use when the screen is detached.
- Wi-Fi, GPS and mobile connectivity via eSIM.
- 18 hours of battery life.
- Apps for Spotify, WhatsApp, Instagram Stories, daily activity tracking, workouts, the photo gallery, heart rate, calendar, settings and breathing.