Facebook, known mainly as a major social media platform, is expanding into new realms of the tech world. Reports have come out that Facebook will be releasing a brand new smartwatch to challenge the current fitness wearables on the market. Though, the company has not publicly acknowledged its plans to release the smart wearable. While much is still uncertain about the Facebook Smartwatch, we’re going to give you the most up-to-date answers to your most pressing questions about Facebook’s newest gadget.
StepsQuestion 1Question 1 of 6:Is the Facebook Smartwatch a Rumor?
1Although Facebook has not publicly acknowledged the making of this fitness device, sources are reporting very specific details on its creation. Sources like The Verge are reporting that the social network has spent roughly $1 billion to develop the first version of its watch and has hundreds of people working to produce the device. Facebook has not released a name for the product or begun mass production, but we have reason to believe a Facebook watch will be on the market within the next year.XQuestion 2Question 2 of 6:What can the Facebook Smartwatch be used for?
1Very specific functions are yet to be released, but generally, the smartwatch would have messaging, health, and fitness features.Notably, the device will feature a display with two cameras, a front and back, that can be detached from the watch for taking pictures and videos.Facebook is reportedly working with wireless cell carriers to enable LTE connections to the watches, meaning the smartwatch won’t need to be paired to a phone to receive messages or calls.The device will also be able to connect to fitness systems, like Peloton, and will lean on a custom version of Google’s Android operating system. The smartwatch will also pair with Facebook’s Oculus virtual reality headsets for a richer VR experience.Question 3Question 3 of 6:When will the Facebook Smartwatch come out?
1Facebook still has not publicly acknowledged or advertised this device, so this is also up for debate. Facebook employees have reported the company is aiming to release the first version of the watch in summer 2022 and has plans for working on the second and third generation in the next coming years.XQuestion 4Question 4 of 6:How much is the Facebook Smartwatch going to cost?
1It’s difficult to say since we still know so little about the watch, but right now Facebook employees are estimating around $400. That price could still vary dramatically, but for now, that’s the estimated cost of the wearableQuestion 5Question 5 of 6:What makes the Facebook Smartwatch different from an Apple Watch?
1Privacy. Apple has always positioned itself as a protector of privacy and data, in a way Facebook has not. Facebook is notorious for harvesting its user’s data for targeted advertising, so we can assume a major difference between Apple’s hardware and Facebook’s might be the privacy policies. Having your Facebook profile data collected and sold is one thing, but your heart rate and fitness records are a whole new ballgame for Facebook. Facebook will need to guarantee its customers their data is safe before sales can ever reach Apple’s level.
2Hardware. In terms of the actual hardware, the only huge difference we can see as of now is Facebook’s inclusion of cameras on its devices. Apple has steered clear of cameras on any of its watches. Facebook is venturing into new territory with cameras, but many of the actual smartwatch health and fitness features will most likely be very similar to the Apple Watch. XQuestion 6Question 6 of 6:Has Facebook made anything like this before?
1HTC Mobile Device. In 2013 Facebook paired with HTC, an electronics company headquartered in Taiwan, to produce a cell phone, but the product flopped miserably after it failed to gain any traction.
2Oculus. Not having a device with Facebook at its core felt like a huge hole in the company to executives, which is why CEO Mark Zuckerberg decided to buy Oculus Virtual Reality before Virtual Reality was fully established. While Virtual Reality has not exploded like Zuckerberg may have believed or wanted it to, it’s estimated around 1.8 million VR and AR headsets will be shipped globally this year, which is nothing to sniff at.
3Portal. Facebook has also launched an in-home video chat called Portal, a digital projector, and has discussed its research concerning converting human thoughts into text on a screen – this last one may be a little too out there. Nevertheless, Facebook has some experience in hardware but is still looking for its ultimate breakthrough. X
