Meta Halts Development Of First Apple Rival Smartwatch With Cameras. Details

According to a prototype of the Meta smartwatch, the device features dual-cameras, which sets it apart from the smartwatch market leader Apple Watch.

Meta Platforms has taken a break from the development of a smartwatch which is touted to be an Apple Watch competitor. Image courtesy: Bloomberg

Social networking giant Facebook's parent Meta Platforms has taken a break from the development of a smartwatch which is touted to be an Apple Watch competitor in favour of other devices for the wrist, the media has reported. According to a prototype of the Meta smartwatch, the device features dual-cameras, which sets it apart from the smartwatch market leader Apple Watch.

The smartwatch, which has been in development for at least two years, was designed to include several features common in other smartwatches, including activity tracking, music playback and messaging, says a report by news agency Bloomberg. The social networking giant's parent firm had initially planned the release of its smartwatch last year.

The existence of the first smartwatch by Facebook (now Meta) was confirmed in a report by The Verge in June last year.

A camera on the front of the watch display exists primarily for video calling, while a 1080p, auto-focus camera on the back can be used for capturing footage when detached from the stainless steel frame on the wrist, the report added.

Meanwhile, earlier last month, Meta started rolling out notifications letting its users know that it has updated its Privacy Policy, formerly known as the Data Policy. The updated Privacy Policy comes after the social networking giant took feedback from its users and privacy experts. The company had said that it has now made its Privacy Policy easier to understand and it reflects the latest products it offers. The company also added that Meta is not collecting, using or sharing user data in new ways based on this policy update and it does not sell user information.