Meta Revives Smartwatch Project for 2026 Launch

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Meta Platforms is reportedly restarting its smartwatch initiative as part of its expanding wearable technology strategy. The revived project, known internally as Malibu 2, is expected to introduce a device focused on health monitoring and integrated artificial intelligence capabilities.

The smartwatch is anticipated to include fitness tracking features alongside a built-in Meta AI assistant. This marks a renewed push into wearables after the company previously halted development in 2022 amid broader cost-cutting measures within its Reality Labs division.

The move reflects growing industry interest in AI-powered personal devices, particularly in health and lifestyle applications. Wearable technology is increasingly being positioned as a key interface for artificial intelligence in everyday use.

Meta has already seen strong market traction in smart eyewear through its collaboration with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban. Shipments of AI-enabled glasses reached nearly 6 million units last year, highlighting rising consumer demand for intelligent wearables.

Beyond smartwatches, Meta continues to work on multiple augmented and mixed-reality devices. However, the company is reportedly reassessing release timelines to avoid overwhelming consumers with too many new products in a short period.

Earlier internal discussions also indicated delays in certain mixed-reality projects, with some developments now expected closer to 2027.

India’s AI Expansion Backed by $2B Nvidia Deal

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India’s artificial intelligence ambitions received a major boost as Yotta Data Services announced plans to invest more than $2 billion in Nvidia’s latest AI chips. The move aims to support the development of a large-scale AI computing hub in New Delhi as the company prepares for a potential public offering.

According to CEO Sunil Gupta, Yotta is also seeking to raise up to $1.2 billion from investors ahead of its IPO. While details of the fundraising remain limited, the initiative signals growing momentum in India’s efforts to strengthen its AI ecosystem.

India continues to position itself as a strategic destination for global data center investments, supported by its vast developer base and expanding digital infrastructure. This environment has already attracted substantial commitments from major technology firms such as Microsoft and Alphabet, contributing to nearly $70 billion in investments across the country.

As part of the project, more than 20,000 Nvidia Blackwell Ultra chips are expected to be deployed by August. Half of these will be utilized by Nvidia itself over the next four years for its DGX AI cloud platform, widely used by leading Indian IT companies including Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys.

Yotta, backed by the Hiranandani Group, currently operates three data center campuses across India. The upcoming AI supercluster in New Delhi will be supported by additional capacity from its Mumbai facility.

Industry sources also indicate that Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund Mubadala may be considering an investment in Yotta prior to its IPO, though no official confirmation has been made.

Europe Squares Up to Big Tech, Risking Ire of Washington

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European governments are intensifying scrutiny of major social media platforms, responding to mounting public concerns over child safety and harmful online content. The move reflects a broader push to regulate digital platforms but risks escalating tensions with the United States, where many of these companies are headquartered.

Spain recently ordered prosecutors to investigate Meta, X and TikTok over the alleged spread of AI-generated child sexual images. Ireland has also opened an inquiry into X’s AI chatbot Grok over its handling of personal data and potential to generate harmful sexualised content.

Several European countries including France, Spain, Greece, Denmark, Slovenia and the Czech Republic are now considering restrictions on social media use by adolescents. Germany and the United Kingdom are exploring similar measures, citing growing worries about online addiction, abuse and declining academic performance.

These national initiatives highlight frustration among policymakers who believe EU-level responses may be too slow. Under the Digital Services Act, platforms can face fines of up to 6% of global annual turnover if they fail to tackle illegal content. However, enforcement remains politically sensitive.

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned of potential tariffs or sanctions if European regulations disproportionately affect American technology firms. Meanwhile, EU officials maintain that the bloc is acting to safeguard democratic systems and ensure responsible technology use.

Some European leaders have framed the regulatory push as part of a broader effort to reduce digital dependence on foreign platforms and strengthen regional technological sovereignty.