Meta revives Malibu 2 smartwatch plan for 2026 with AI and health features

Feb 18 (Reuters) - Instagram-owner Meta Platforms plans to release its first smartwatch this year, the Information reported on Wednesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.

The company has revived its "Malibu 2" smartwatch project, the report said, adding that the device, set for release later this year, will feature health tracking and a built-in Meta AI assistant.

Meta explored a smartwatch roughly five years ago, the Information said, including plans at one point for three-camera-equipped versions but it shelved the effort in 2022 as a part of broader spending pullbacks in its Reality Labs unit.

Meta declined to comment on the report.

The news signals a big comeback for wearables driven by the artificial intelligence boom, as companies release gadgets imbued with the technology, aimed especially at health and fitness.

AI smartglasses are the breakout, with Meta's technology powering glasses made by Ray‑Ban parent EssilorLuxottica. Their shipments climbed to nearly 6 million units last year, according to data from Smart Analytics Global.

The company has about four augmented reality and mixed-reality (MR) glasses in development, the report said, and the company is reassessing timelines to ease concerns that launching too many devices in quick succession could confuse customers. In December, Reality Labs employees were told the company had delayed Phoenix, its MR glasses, until 2027, the report said.

Last month, Meta said it had decided to pause international expansion of its Ray-Ban Display glasses due to short supply and strong demand in the United States.

(Reporting by Anhata Rooprai in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)