"Chasing Apple Watch" Smartwatch War, Facebook Joins the Battle

Facebook Joins Smartwatch Top 3
Facebook to Launch First New Model Next Year
Strength in Community-Based Social Networking

[Asia Economy Reporter Cha Min-young] Facebook has thrown down the gauntlet in the technology war among major players in the smart watch market, including leaders Apple, Samsung Electronics, and Xiaomi. Facebook's new product, which boasts strengths in community-based software and health management features, is scheduled to be unveiled next year.

Facebook to Launch Smart Watch Next Year

The Information reported on the 12th (local time) that Facebook is developing a smart watch running on the Android operating system (OS) and plans to release the new product sometime next year. This is the first time news of the new product has been publicly disclosed, as it has been prepared in secret.

Facebook's first smart watch is expected to focus on messaging functions. It will be linked with Facebook's Messenger platform and specialized for social networking services. The core is to enable "fast interaction between users."

It also aims to serve as a health management assistant. In addition to managing exercise records, it will specialize in communication with trainers and hinted at the possibility of integration with the indoor bicycle "Peloton," which became famous for being favored by U.S. President Joe Biden.

Facebook initially plans to use the Android OS but also intends to develop its own OS specifically for wearable devices in the long term. Given the success of both Oculus series virtual reality (VR) gaming devices, confidence in the hardware sector appears to have increased. As a latecomer, it is expected that the selling price will be set reasonably low, close to the production cost.

Apple Tops Smart Watch Market with 1 Million Users

Apple Watch

The growth trend of the smart watch market was a key factor that even prompted Facebook to enter the market. The sense of urgency not to just watch Apple Watch's aggressive moves is also seen as a driving force accelerating product development.

In fact, the global smart watch market is showing steep growth every year, led by strong smartphone companies such as Apple, Samsung Electronics, and Xiaomi. Market research firm Above Avalon recently released a market analysis using its own estimate that Apple Watch users have surpassed 1 million.

Above Avalon explained, "The number of Apple Watch users has rapidly increased, reaching 1 million as of last December," adding, "300,000 people started using Apple Watch last year alone, which exceeds the total number of new users from 2015 to 2017 combined."

Samsung Electronics: A Gift of Love for Parents... Xiaomi: Cost-effective Self-gift

Galaxy Watch

Samsung Electronics in Korea also gave the Galaxy Watch3 the meaning of a "filial gift." It can measure blood oxygen saturation, allowing users to check how effectively they are breathing over a certain period by measuring oxygen in the blood. It also features a fall detection function that senses the user's movement and automatically sends an alert to a pre-designated contact for help. Falls can cause fatal injuries such as hip fractures among the elderly population in their 70s and 80s, making immediate response essential.

Xiaomi, a strong player in the mid-to-low-end smartphone market, also shows strengths with smart watches specialized in exercise functions. Xiaomi recently introduced the Mi Watch and Mi Watch Lite earlier this month. The dedicated sports button offers 117 fitness modes, including running, hiking, swimming, and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It also provides six sensors and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to comprehensively monitor the user's health.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.