Apparently unsaturated by sucking up users’ personal data on its platforms, Facebook hopes to master their health data as well. The company is reportedly building a smartwatch as its next foray into hardware, and the device could debut as early as next year, according to a Friday report from the information
The smartwatch would run on Android, although it is unclear whether it will run Google Wear OS as Facebook is reportedly trying to build its own operating system for future hardware ventures, according to people with direct knowledge of the device who spoke to the outlet among the condition of anonymity. The watch is said to have access to the internet via a cellular connection, so no smartphone required, and has messaging, health and fitness functions.
Naturally, all of these features will boast built-in compatibility with Facebook’s existing platforms, as the company will no doubt want to use its extensive social network to get a head start on Fitbit, Apple, and other titans in the smartwatch space. The device allows users to track their workouts with friends, contact their trainer and provide some sort of quick chat feature without having to grab a smartphone. Along the way, Facebook also plans to make its devices compatible with health and fitness products from companies like Peloton, as well as launch versions that can interact with Facebook’s future devices, such as the line of augmented reality glasses it reportedly cooking
Facebook is aiming to release the first version of its smartwatch next year, with plans for a second generation to be released in 2023, a person briefed on the timeline told the Information. While the report did not address specific price points, it claims that “Facebook is expected to sell its watch at the cost of producing it,” which is a tactic the company used with its Oculus virtual reality headsets
According to the information, Mike Schroepfer, Facebook’s chief technology officer, said at an all-employee meeting in December that the company planned to continue pushing hardware and increase its investments in wearable devices. The smartwatch would join Facebook’s growing hardware ecosystem including the Oculus VR headsets and Portal video streaming devices, along with several rumors projects reportedly in the works. Facebook did not immediately respond to Gizmodo’s request for comment, but we will update this blog when they do.
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Considering Facebook’s track record privacy misstepsthis latest venture seems like a disaster ahead. The company has fallen so a lot of red flags over the years to indicate that it is a very stupid idea to pass your health data on to them. If this smartwatch eventually sees the light of day (the report said development is pretty far, but Facebook could still do the project), I’ll give it two or three months before the scandalous headlines start to roll, followed by Facebook offering yet another publishes halfhearted apology
We’ve been through this cycle so many times, guys. I’m tired.