Facebook, now Meta, may be designing a new product, and this time it’s a wearable. A new report from LetsGoDigitalGoing through PhoneArena details two patents that could indicate what to expect from a meta smartwatch. One of the designs resembles a conventional rectangular dial smartwatch but comes with detachable displays, while another features a circular dial and three built-in cameras.
The patents were issued by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). The first watch features a rectangular face similar to the Apple Watch with a removable screen. There doesn’t appear to be any buttons or crown on the side, so this variant could be fully touch controlled.
The first patent shows a rectangular watch with a removable display. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)
The second meta smartwatch is expected to feature three camera lenses, while the bezel will apparently rotate to allow a single camera sensor to use the multiple lenses. The three cameras in the setup should be similar to a typical three-camera setup on a phone, comprising a primary telephoto lens, an ultra-wide lens, and a third zoom/fisheye lens. Look at the image below.
The second patent shows a watch that comes with multiple cameras. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)
Reports suggest the watches will be able to work with both VR and AR systems and could possibly be used as an input device for an upcoming AR headset. Other than that, the watches should have standard fitness-focused features like heart rate tracking, step counting, and sleep monitoring. A temperature monitoring sensor is also provided.
A rumored release date for at least one of the two wearables is slated for this summer, but it remains to be seen if the company will actually push ahead with this product. Note that not all patents necessarily result in an end product.
However, if the Meta smartwatches hit the market, it will be an interesting addition to the current range of wearables available to customers.
