Meta’s ‘Malibu 2’ Smartwatch to Focus on Health Tracking, AI
Meta is reviving its long-rumored smartwatch effort, with reports indicating the company plans to launch its first wrist device in 2026.
The device, internally known as “Malibu 2,” is expected to focus on health tracking and include a built-in Meta AI assistant, according to a report by The Information.
The move marks a return to a product Meta previously explored but ultimately shelved. The company had worked on smartwatch concepts roughly five years ago, including versions with multiple cameras, before pausing the effort in 2022 as part of cost reductions within its Reality Labs division.
An emphasis on health, fitness
The revived smartwatch is expected to focus on health and fitness tracking, alongside AI-powered features.
The Information report suggests the device will integrate Meta’s AI assistant directly into the wearable experience. The move reflects a wider industry trend, as companies look to blend biometric data with AI services to offer more personalized experiences.
The smartwatch is not expected to stand alone. Meta has seen growing interest in its AI-powered smart glasses, with shipments of those glasses climbing to nearly 6 million units last year, according to data cited by Reuters from Smart Analytics Global.
The company recently paused international expansion of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to strong demand in the United States and limited supply. In a statement last month, Meta said it had decided to delay the global rollout to focus on fulfilling US orders.
Reports also indicate Meta has about four augmented and mixed-reality glasses projects in development. However, the company is reassessing launch timelines to avoid releasing too many devices too quickly and potentially confusing customers.
The competitive picture
Meta won’t be wandering into an empty room. The smartwatch market in North America has been Apple’s territory for years, with the Apple Watch setting the standard for health tracking and ecosystem integration. Samsung and Google round out the upper tier.
But a Meta watch, tightly linked to AI services and smart glasses, would represent a different kind of challenger, less a specs war and more a battle over which company’s ambient AI ecosystem becomes part of your everyday life. Apple is reportedly planning glasses and possibly a wearable pin to complement its existing lineup. Google has confirmed that its upcoming 2026 smart glasses will work with Android watches.
Everyone, it seems, is racing to own your wrist, your ears, and your eyes.
Also read: Pebble is betting nostalgia still fits on your wrist with its thinnest smartwatch ever.
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