Meta revives Malibu 2 smartwatch project aiming for 2026 launch with AI and health focus

Wrist revival: Meta presses ahead with smartwatch push

Meta Platforms is reviving its formerly shelved “Malibu 2” smartwatch program and plans to ship a debut wrist device in 2026, The Information reports, reflecting a renewed hardware push that pairs biometric monitoring with the company’s AI ambitions. The watch is expected to emphasise health tracking and include an integrated Meta AI assistant to provide contextual help, notifications and voice- or text-driven interactions, although Meta does not disclose price, battery life, sensor suite or exact launch timing.

The move signals Meta’s intention to extend its ecosystem beyond phones and headsets into everyday personal devices and to leverage large-scale AI investments in consumer hardware. Company strategy appears aimed at combining continuous biometric data with assistant features to create stickier user experiences, potentially increasing engagement across Meta’s apps and services. Bringing a watch to market positions Meta directly against established wearable makers and raises questions about differentiation, developer support and how tightly the device will tie into Facebook, Instagram and Horizon services.

Regulatory and privacy issues loom as central considerations for the product roadmap, particularly around sensitive health data and age-restricted information. Observers note that whether Meta processes AI tasks on-device or in the cloud will affect both user experience and compliance with health-data protections in major markets. The smartwatch plan also sets up partnerships discussions with sensor makers, carriers and software developers that will influence adoption ahead of the 2026 target.

Zuckerberg flags youth-safety talks with Apple

Separately, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg discloses he spoke with Apple CEO Tim Cook about the safety of young social media users, confirming cross-company dialogue on age verification, content moderation and child welfare. He provides no further detail on timing, proposals or outcomes, prompting calls from advocates and regulators for greater transparency.

AI compute tie-ups and chip market moves

Meta is also deepening ties with AI infrastructure suppliers, announcing use of next-generation Nvidia systems, a development that coincides with Nvidia’s disclosure it has sold its remaining stake in Arm. The partnership underscores Meta’s need for advanced compute as it develops on-device and cloud-based AI features for wearables and other products.