The Facebook View app on iOS contains an image of a potential Meta smartwatch, with a front-facing camera notch, rounded screen, and a detachable wrist strap

- Device has front-facing camera, possibly for videoconferencing — Image of watch is found inside of Facebook View iPhone app

Bloomberg 2021-10-29 Mark Gurman

Context & Ripple Effects

Earlier reporting described Facebook’s smartwatch effort as an Android-based health-and-fitness device, then added a detachable display and two cameras to the reported design. The Facebook View app asset is unusually concrete evidence that the project had moved beyond broad planning into product-design work.

The camera emphasis also sits beside Meta’s internal consideration of facial recognition in future smart glasses, making sensors and their use a common policy issue across its wearable ambitions.

First-order effects

Meta’s wearable plans gain a visible design reference point, while the Facebook View iPhone app becomes evidence that its software organization was preparing for a camera-equipped wrist device.
A front-facing camera distinguishes the reported watch from a purely health-and-fitness tracker and makes videoconferencing a prospective use case for Meta’s hardware team.

Second-order effects

Meta’s legal and product-policy teams face a broader sensor-governance problem: the same company weighing facial recognition for glasses would need clear boundaries for cameras on a wrist-worn device.
The reported camera-first design raises the execution bar for Meta’s wrist hardware, where a detachable-display concept must support both communication features and health tracking.

Third-order effects

The later halt of the dual-camera smartwatch shows that app-level product evidence did not guarantee a launch; Meta’s wearable portfolio can shift toward other wrist devices even after a design has reached software integration.
If that pattern persists, Meta’s wearable strategy will be defined less by a single flagship watch and more by which sensor combinations it can carry through privacy, hardware, and product-development constraints.

The trend: Meta’s wearable push is converging communication cameras, health sensors, and software integration, with sensor governance becoming a central product constraint.

Discussion

@markgurman Mark Gurman on x
Here it is: The first photo of Meta/Facebook's in-the-works smartwatch to rival the Apple Watch. Image discovered by @stevemoser in Facebook's own app and shared exclusively here: https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@stevemoser Steve Moser on x
Facebook... I mean Meta casually left this image of their ‘Milan’ smart watch in their ‘Facebook View’ app. Now Meta joins the notch conversation with a bottom notch. ✅Front facing camera ✅Stainless Steel ✅Looks detachable https://twitter.com/...
@khabubu_phathu Khabubu Phathutshedzo on x
I think they can actually build better software than Apple. https://twitter.com/...
@tummymuncher Wyatt on x
other than a small tile of highly enriched uranium this is the top one thing i would not want on my arm https://twitter.com/...
@ronamadeo Ron Amadeo on x
Cons: Evil Facebook hardware. Notched smartwatch display. Pros: With this camera angle, you get to livestream your boogers directly to Mark Zuckerberg. https://twitter.com/...
@hypervisible Biased Albooorithm on x
Meanwhile, in luxury surveillance news... https://www.bloomberg.com/...
@mishaalrahman Mishaal Rahman on x
A smartwatch...with a camera...from Facebook (sorry, Meta)? No thanks. https://twitter.com/...
@oculus @oculus on x
Experience the iconic, open-world of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas in an entirely new way. This @RockstarGames classic is in development for Oculus Quest 2. More details soon. #FBConnect https://www.oculus.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@daveyalba Davey Alba on x
WHERE ARE THEIR LEGS https://twitter.com/...
@technology @technology on x
favorite screenshots from facebook connect without context: a thread https://twitter.com/...
@papapishu Chris Person on x
Lol I'm glad I saved that part of it, this is the metaverse part. Hope someone saved the full thing https://twitter.com/...
@boztank Boz on x
Excited to share some of the progress we've made towards the AR glasses interface of the future through Project Aria. We're opening up participation in the program to more of our employees and introducing new partners 👉🏼 https://tech.fb.com/...
@thetomzone Tom McSlay on x
I'm almost certainly wrong but I feel like the question of the odds of Facebook being the future monopolist power of the “metaverse” comes down to: how many people do you know who own or use a VR headset?
@skeeva @skeeva on x
Beat Saber hits $100,000,000 in revenue on the Quest platform alone. Yes that's $100Million bucks. Don't ever let anyone tell you you can't make money on a well made #VR game. https://twitter.com/...
@jeffbercovici Jeff Bercovici on x
“3D street art? That's cool.” “Wait, it's disappearing.” “Hold on, I'll tip the artist and they'll extend it.” Can't wait to live in this future! https://twitter.com/...
@spatialxr Spatial on x
🚨 Big day for us today 📢 Super excited to announce that Spatial is changing our name to Oculus 👁‍🗨 Thanks for the trade @boztank !!!🙏🙏 https://www.theverge.com/...
@boztank Boz on x
The road ahead will be long but we're all in and fully committed to building the metaverse together with everyone. https://tech.fb.com/...
@thetomzone Tom McSlay on x
this feels a bit like late-90s early-2000s Microsoft, minus the.. very important fact they actually antitrusted Microsoft. Facebook is probably not capable of envisioning whatever the next shift will be, like MS lost on mobile. When's last time FB did anything but buy competitors
@edludlow Ed Ludlow on x
Hmm. The “Facebook 👍 Sign” at 1 Hacker Way is covered in a temporary canvas/cover which also shows 👍. Earlier a small security team was putting up a barrier/cordon around it and guards are patrolling 🤷🏻‍♂ ️ (Note: did not see the cover go up) $FB #Facebook story @TheTerminal http…
@thedailyshow @thedailyshow on x
Nobody asked for this new Facebook feature [video of Zuckerberg keynote followed January 6 riot footage]
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
From this vantage point it appears the new name may be ♾️. Or possibly 👀 https://twitter.com/...
@manoushz Manoush Zomorodi on x
“In the metaverse, you can decide when you need to take a break and teleport to a private bubble to be alone.” Eating lunch and watching this. And weeping. https://twitter.com/...
@kantrowitz Alex Kantrowitz on x
Shorter Zuckerberg: I want to build the operating system and disintermediate Apple.
@janelytv Jane Lytvynenko on x
Zuck says the metaverse is gonna require “new forms of government.” Well. If there's one thing we know we can trust Zuck with, it's building governance on platforms.
@willoremus Will Oremus on x
the metaverse looks exhausting
@willoremus Will Oremus on x
Just realized with a sinking feeling that this whole NFT thing is basically the groundwork to Facebook forcing us to buy avatars as in-game purchases in the metaverse just to attend a business meeting. Legs will cost extra
@raoulgmi Raoul Pal on x
The Zuck video today for Meta might well have been cheesy but it was incredible important...maybe one of the most important things I have seen in years (although something I have expected and written about for a long time). 1/
@carolecadwalla Carole Cadwalladr on x
The whole presentation is worth watching in full for the complete mindfuck experience. But @nickclegg is always a highlight. Here he is allaying fears that the metaverse might destroy democracy or launch nuclear missiles from your toaster which of course it can't https://twitter.…
@kantrowitz Alex Kantrowitz on x
Choose your fighter https://twitter.com/...
@caseynewton Casey Newton on x
Mark Zuckerberg joining Phoebe Bridgers' band in VR https://twitter.com/...
@donie Donie O'Sullivan on x
This Vice headline though. Zuckerberg Announces Fantasy World Where Facebook Is Not a Horrible Company https://www.vice.com/...
@sarafischer Sara Fischer on x
Not so subtle @Apple swipe by Zuck: “This period has also been humbling” because as big company, we are also building on other platforms. “Living under their rules has profoundly changed my view on the tech industry.” https://twitter.com/...
@jason_koebler Jason Koebler on x
The Facebook metaverse stream was the most delusional thing I've ever seen from any company or any person in my entire life https://www.vice.com/...
@jesawyer @jesawyer on x
https://twitter.com/...
@davepell Dave Pell on x
The metaverse enables rioters to take a shit in the Capitol from the comfort of their home.
@tobi Tobi Lütke on x
Seriously, this is one of the most profound and approachable articulations of how the metaverse might plausibly come together. You have to watch it.
@balajis Balaji Srinivasan on x
Please note: we must still fund people to decentralize Facebook. I'm glad that Zuck discussed interoperability, and virtual economies, but we do need alternatives. However, the only substantive critique is a constructive one: build the future better. https://twitter.com/...
@charliefink Charlie Fink on x
Here's Zuck's keynote for #connect2021 If you have any interest in #VR #AR this is a must-see. Can they build the #metaverse spending $10BN a year? Their vision is tremendously exciting, and more than a little terrifying. What do you think? https://www.facebook.com/...
@raoulgmi Raoul Pal on x
This is something that is truly exponential. It is the future of everything but you can choose your future and your society that most aligns with you. This is the game changer. Don't use your cynicism about Facebook. See the change.
@digiphile Alex Howard on x
Liberal democracy is the worst form of government in history, except for all the rest that have been tried from time to time. Perhaps the companies entrusted with ethical governance of a global metaverse should be governed by rotating CEOs & board members elected by shareholders.…
@alexvoica Alexandru Voica on x
Connect 2021 starts in a few minutes! Tune in for the keynote to hear about the latest innovations in augmented and virtual reality: https://www.facebook.com/... And follow the 🧵below for news and announcements from the event 👇
@balajis Balaji Srinivasan on x
Note something else: lesser men would have crumbled in the face of years of relentless attacks from all sides. Easy to just give in. But the modern arena is a crucible, selecting for the kind of leader who can somehow notch record wins despite all that. https://twitter.com/...
@rmac18 @rmac18 on x
sweet baby rays book holder. SWEET BABY RAYS BOOK HOLDER. https://twitter.com/...
@balajis Balaji Srinivasan on x
Go watch Zuck's keynote. Because it's not just a talk on the metaverse. It's about standing firm in the face of a nation state attack — by the US government — and articulating a vision for the future that's about building, not banning. https://www.facebook.com/...
@samfbiddle Sam Biddle on x
This is actually a pretty realistic demo in that Zuckerberg's employees and immediate family are probably the only people telling him this is really cool https://twitter.com/...
@carolecadwalla Carole Cadwalladr on x
'So basically what you're saying is that you're going to be able to send a text message just by thinking about moving your fingers.' WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG https://twitter.com/...
@pattonoswalt Patton Oswalt on x
I think the new Facebook called Meta looks fun.
@anferno Anthony Miale on x
Zuck is just like us! Sauce on the living room shelf https://twitter.com/...
@tobi Tobi Lütke on x
Mark's fb Connect keynote is hugely inspiring. https://www.facebook.com/...
@tacolamp Brielle Garcia on x
Did anything get announced that's actually shipping this decade? GTA for Quest sounds awesome. Progressive web apps are cool and useful. Non-FB login too. Just lots of CG trailers and hollow sounding promises otherwise.
@uploadvr @uploadvr on x
Alongside the reveal of the new Project Cambria VR headset, Meta just gave a codename to its first pair of consumer AR glasses. Meet Project Nazare. https://uploadvr.com/... https://twitter.com/...
@arzitasingh07 Arzi on x
This is so fascinating, new age OF AR/XR is going to change the whole user experience, Mobile, TV, entertainment industries soon... So happy that I have started learning AR, great motivation this is.. https://twitter.com/...
@natashatynes @natashatynes on x
😂😂 Nazare is Arabic for glasses. https://twitter.com/...
@abluegorilla Jon Parker on x
Facebook's name change to Meta has me weirded out b/c while reading about it I came across the name of this: Project Nazare. Nazare is Portuguese for Nazareth. Yes, it's a place in Portugal, but it still seems an odd choice. Nazareth is the place from which the Savior comes.
@laurengoode Lauren Goode on x
Zuckerberg and other Facebook (Meta) executives say the metaverse will be an open, interoperable computing experience. The current reality is quite different https://www.wired.com/...
@diegobez Diego Bez on x
One of the biggest announcements for Oculus devs, I think https://twitter.com/...
@thedextriarchy Adi Robertson on x
Haven't heard a single Project Coheed joke today, I am truly disappointed. https://www.theverge.com/...

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