Meta Reportedly Revives Smartwatch Plans for 2026 Launch
TL;DR: Meta has reportedly revived its plans to launch a smartwatch in 2026. Unlike previous cancelled projects, this new device is expected to function as a neural interface accessory, using wrist signals to control the company’s upcoming AR glasses.
Meta Platforms appears to be taking another shot at the wrist-worn wearable market. According to a new report from The Information, the tech giant has revived its plans to release a smartwatch, with a target launch window set for 2026.
This development marks a significant shift in strategy for the company, which had previously cancelled a smartwatch project codenamed “Milan” in 2023. Unlike the earlier attempt, which was designed primarily as a standalone device with a detachable display and cameras, the new iteration is reportedly focused on a different purpose: integration with the metaverse.
The revived smartwatch is not intended to be a mere competitor to the Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch in terms of general fitness tracking. Instead, reports suggest it will serve as a specialised input device for Meta’s augmented reality (AR) hardware, specifically the “Orion” AR glasses.
The device is expected to feature neural interface technology, likely based on electromyography (EMG). This technology detects electrical signals from the user’s wrist to translate subtle hand and finger movements into digital commands. This would allow users to control their AR glasses with micro-gestures, solving one of the biggest challenges in the smart glasses sector: input mechanisms.
The 2026 target aligns with the company’s broader hardware roadmap. With the company pushing hard into the AR space following the success of its Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, a dedicated wrist controller would be a logical addition to the ecosystem.
By moving away from a general-purpose smartwatch and focusing on a specialised accessory for its AR vision, Meta aims to carve out a unique niche that leverages its massive investments in Reality Labs.
