Meta May Launch Smartwatch This Year

Previously, there were reports that Meta was developing a smartwatch under the codename Malibu 2. However, the project was shelved in order to prioritize the company’s smart glasses efforts. This morning, a new report from The Information claims that Malibu 2 has been revived and could be launched as early as this year.

The original project was halted around 2022. When it eventually launches, Malibu 2 is expected to include health tracking capabilities and support for Meta AI as its built-in virtual assistant. The smartwatch market remains dominated by the Apple Watch, and Meta would be entering a space already crowded with numerous established models.

What features could make it stand out from competitors? One possibility is the inclusion of an EMG (electromyography) sensor, enabling gesture-based controls similar to the Meta Neural Band that accompanies the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

Last year, Meta reportedly sold more than 7 million pairs of smart glasses through its partnerships with Ray-Ban and Oakley — a figure higher than the combined sales of 2023 and 2024. The renewed push into wearables suggests Meta may now be ready to expand beyond smart glasses and re-enter the smartwatch race.