Apple once considered adding a camera to the Apple Watch, but it looks like the Meta might get there first. A new report suggests that the company could reveal the upcoming wearable at its September event.
The Meta smartwatch with a camera was seen in development back in 2021, but was reportedly put on hold the following year. However, a new supply chain report says the project has been revived and is now close to being launched…
Apple Watch with camera
Apple has been mulling the idea of adding a camera to the Apple Watch, as evidenced by a patent application from 2019.
Apple’s proposed solution is to integrate the camera into the band, instead of the Watch itself. You will be able to remove the band section, which can be adjusted so that you can remove it as you like. The lens itself can rotate at the end of the band for complete flexibility.
The company saw this as allowing us to leave our iPhones behind at least sometimes.
A smart watch with the ability to take pictures or videos may allow the user to prioritize carrying a smartphone when doing certain activities, especially activities or places where it would be difficult to take a smartphone (eg, hiking, running, swimming, surfing, snowboarding, or any other situations).
Of course, we’ve added a disclaimer to our usual disclaimer: Apple patents all kinds of things that never make it into production.
But while Apple may or may not add a camera to its Watch, a Digitimes the report suggests that Meta is leading its product.
Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly reviving its smartwatch project, possibly with a camera lens, timed with its Meta Connect conference on September 17-18 in the US. The smartwatch is expected to be compatible with the upcoming Meta AI glasses. China’s Huaqin is said to be the main manufacturer.
The inclusion of a camera will give the watch AI capabilities, and differentiate it from existing smartwatches from Apple, Samsung, and Garmin.
The report seems uncertain as to whether the watch will appear at the Meta event in September. The intro suggests it’s time for an announcement there, and later in the episode it says “it’s not clear if the smartwatch will come out at the next Meta Connect event.”
9to5Mac’s Take
Integration within Apple’s ecosystem makes it a tough challenge for any company to sell smartwatches to iPhone owners. To have any chance at all, they’ll need to offer a compelling feature that the Apple Watch lacks.
The camera can it is possible has been such a feature, although the appeal may be limited to the same market that Apple identified in its patent: those who sometimes want to be able to leave their iPhone at home while still being able to take photos and video.
In any case, it will be nice to see some competition here – maybe this will be the development that persuades Apple to move forward with the camera band idea.
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Photo by Rajasekhar R on Unsplash
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