By Senad Karaahmetovic
Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:FB) has reportedly stopped the development of its dual-camera smartwatch and is now focusing on other wrist-worn wearables, according to Bloomberg News.
Facebook’s parent company has been developing the smartwatch for around two years but employees who were developing the watch were told earlier this week that the production of the device is coming to a halt. The original plan was to launch the smartwatch in spring 2023, priced at around $349.
The smartwatch would have included numerous features found in other smartwatches such as music playback, messaging, physical activity tracking, and more. But it was also designed to have dual-cameras, a feature that makes the smartwatch stand out from its competitors including the Apple Watch.
According to the images of the device’s prototype, one of the cameras was located below the display and the second one was placed on the backside against the user’s wrist. Meta included the second camera to allow users to remove the watch face from the strap to easily take pictures.
However, that camera has reportedly caused issues with another device’s feature that was meant to translate nerve signals into digital controls.
Despite the production halt, the report says that Meta will continue working on other wrist-worn wearables and some of the watch’s features are likely to be included in future products.