According to media analysis, privacy concerns will be the biggest challenge facing Facebook’s hardware. The market cannot help but worry that Facebook will develop more types of hardware, just to allow it to collect more consumer information in exchange for advertising revenue. In this regard, The Information reported that Facebook is developing its own smartwatch, which may be available next year.
The media quoted a source who pointed out that the Facebook smartwatch can support mobile connectivity, allowing users to send messages through the Facebook service Messenger, etc., and provide health and sports health functions. The new watch is expected to be available next year.
It also said that this Facebook smartwatch uses the Android operating system. But it could be not the Google Wear OS. Another source pointed out that Facebook also wants to develop its own operating system. But it is not clear whether it is related to the Facebook smartwatch we are talking about now.
Gizchina News of the week
Facebook’s Intentions In Hardware Field
If the news is true, this is also Facebook’s latest plan to enter the hardware field. Facebook and HTC jointly developed the Facebook Phone, HTC First, in 2013. At that time, Facebook developed the Android UI for this phone and replaced it with the Facebook homepage. However, as you guess, sales of this phone were bleak.
In fact, Ars Technica reported that Facebook set up a hardware department in 2016 (the department was reorganized into Portal in 2018), hoping to enter the hardware market. But the results were not satisfactory. Except for the purchase of Oculus, a VR head-mounted device for $2 billion, the smart display Portal series home video market has received mediocre response. Although the 2020 COVID-19 epidemic has made the Portal series unexpectedly popular.
As you can see, Facebook has had plans for entering the hardware field long ago and it didn’t hide them. Now, with the launch of the Facebook smartwatch, everything may become more serious.
