Facebook is reportedly planning to venture into the wearable technology market and is working on a smartwatch. According to a report, the smartwatch will allow users to respond to messages. The watch is expected to be loaded with health and fitness-related features. People familiar with the development said that the social media giant is planning to roll out the watch in 2022. This is being seen as direct competition to Apple, which has so far dominated the watch market. Facebook is definitely going to increase the competition. Several new players are entering into the market which is projected to reach USD 96 billion by 2027.
Reports suggest that the wristwatch will not need a smartphone and is expected to work using a cellular connection. The company will allow the watch to get connected with the services or hardware of fitness and health companies. The first smartwatch by the social media giant is expected to run on Google Android. But, the company is working hard to develop its own operating system and its future wearable will run on them. For now, the device will use an open-source version of Android. People privy to the development said that the second generation of the watch is expected to be launched in 2023.
The price range of the watch is not known yet but experts believe the company will most likely sell it at a price close to the production cost. On the other hand, the latest version of the Apple Watch is being sold at a starting price of USD 400. While those of Fitbit is being sold at a starting price of around USD 150. Facebook has not revealed any detail about the smartwatch. While talks about developing the watch are going on, there is a possibility of its launch getting delayed or even scrapped. It is expected that the social media giant will make an official announcement in this regard soon.
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