Facebook, the social media giant founded by Mark Zuckerberg, does not currently produce its own smartwatch. However, Facebook has developed apps and software for smartwatches made by other companies like Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit. So while Facebook doesn’t make its own smartwatch, its apps can be used on a variety of smartwatches to access Facebook, Messenger, and other Facebook services.
Facebook’s Approach to Smartwatches
Instead of developing its own smartwatch hardware, Facebook has focused on creating great software experiences for existing smartwatches. Some key facts about Facebook’s approach:
- Facebook has apps for smartwatch platforms like watchOS (for Apple Watch) and Wear OS (for Android smartwatches).
- These apps allow you to access basic Facebook features like news feed, messages, notifications, and more directly from your wrist.
- Facebook Messenger also has dedicated smartwatch apps that offer quick replies, chat heads, and voice replies.
- Facebook has not shown any intention of launching its own smartwatch device in the near future.
By partnering with smartwatch makers instead of competing with them, Facebook can focus on its strengths like software, apps, and social networking at scale. This avoids the risks and costs associated with designing hardware from the ground up.
Facebook Apps for Popular Smartwatches
While Facebook doesn’t make a smartwatch itself, its apps are available on some of the most popular smartwatches:
Apple Watch
Facebook and Messenger apps are available for the Apple Watch, watchOS’s wearable operating system. With these apps, Apple Watch owners can:
- Scroll through the Facebook news feed
- Get notifications for friend requests, messages, and other activity
- View profiles of friends and groups
- Reply to Messenger messages via dictation, emoji, or preset replies
The tight integration between Apple Watch and iPhone makes these apps very quick and convenient for accessing Facebook on the go.
Samsung Galaxy Watch
Facebook and Messenger are also available as apps for Samsung’s Tizen-powered Galaxy smartwatches including:
- Galaxy Watch
- Galaxy Watch Active
- Galaxy Watch Active2
With these apps, Galaxy Watch owners can view News Feed and notifications, exchange Messenger messages, see friend details, and more without needing their smartphone.
Wear OS Smartwatches
For smartwatches running Google’s Wear OS like Fossil, Mobvoi TicWatch, Michael Kors, and many others, Facebook offers:
- Facebook for Wear OS
- Messenger for Wear OS
These allow Wear OS users access to all their Facebook notifications and messages directly from the wrist. Handy features like voice replies and emojis help you respond quickly.
Top Smartwatches for Facebook Users
Based on their seamless Facebook integration and overall quality, here are some of the top smartwatches to consider for Facebook users:
Apple Watch Series 5
With its classic styling, robust app ecosystem, tight iPhone integration, and industry-leading health/fitness tracking, the Apple Watch Series 5 is arguably the best smartwatch for iPhone owners. Facebook and Messenger apps are nicely optimized for the Series 5’s screen.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2
Samsung’s sleek Galaxy Watch Active2 has great hardware and deep Facebook integration. Its digital bezel and Tizen OS allow easy Facebook access and notification management. It also tracks over 40 different exercises.
Fossil Gen 5 Smartwatch
Fossil’s recent Gen 5 smartwatch runs Wear OS software and works with Android phones. With its classic watch design and big AMOLED display, the Fossil Gen 5 makes Facebook messaging and notifications easy to handle from the wrist.
Facebook Portal Devices
In addition to smartwatches, Facebook’s Portal lineup of video calling devices provides another way to stay connected on Facebook:
- Portal
- Portal+
- Portal Mini
- Portal TV
With large screens and smart cameras, Portal devices are optimized for video calling through Messenger and WhatsApp. The hands-free nature makes them an easy way for families to call each other through Facebook apps.
| Portal Model | Key Features |
|---|---|
| Portal Mini | Compact 8″ screen, Smart Camera, Alexa built-in |
| Portal | 10″ screen rotates, Smart Camera, Alexa built-in |
| Portal+ | Large 15″ rotating screen, Smart Camera, Alexa built-in |
| Portal TV | Video chat through TV, works with Messenger and WhatsApp |
So while not technically smartwatches, Portal devices let you easily make Messenger video calls and interact with Facebook services hands-free.
Facebook’s Acquisition of Oculus VR
In addition to software and Portal devices, Facebook has invested heavily in virtual reality and augmented reality hardware through its acquisition of Oculus VR.
Key Facts about Facebook’s Ownership of Oculus
- Facebook acquired Oculus VR in 2014 for approximately $2 billion.
- This allowed Facebook to get into the VR/AR hardware space.
- Oculus has since released various VR headsets like the Oculus Rift and Oculus Quest.
- These headsets could one day integrate with Facebook services or offer social media capabilities.
- Facebook is also developing AR smart glasses and wearables.
So while Oculus focuses on gaming and entertainment, its VR and AR hardware may someday incorporate Facebook integration for social interactions in virtual spaces. This would be Facebook’s closest equivalent to a smartwatch.
Potential for Facebook Integration
Future Oculus devices could potentially allow users to:
- Browse virtual reality social spaces
- View AR overlays with Facebook notifications
- Use avatars for interacting with friends in VR
- Join VR chat rooms connected to Facebook groups
By blending VR/AR hardware with Facebook’s massive social network, engaging new user experiences could emerge. But currently the Oculus lineup is mostly focused on non-social gaming and entertainment.
Conclusion
In summary, while Facebook does not currently make its own smartwatch, it has developed apps, software, and partnerships to allow Facebook access from popular smartwatches like the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, and Wear OS devices.
Facebook’s strategy has focused on software over hardware when it comes to wearables. But through the ownership of Oculus and innovations in VR/AR, Facebook could potentially release its own smart glasses or other devices with social integration in the future.
For now, Facebook users can enjoy full messaging and notification capabilities through Facebook’s apps on iOS and Android smartwatches. And Portal devices offer easy video calling access to Messenger and WhatsApp.
So while there is no singular “Facebook smartwatch” today, the company enables various ways to access its services from the wrist or through other cutting-edge wearable devices and platforms. The social network continues to experiment in hardware, but seems unlikely to directly compete with Apple, Samsung, and others with a 1st party smartwatch product anytime soon.