Meta Expands Hardware Lineup with Oakley-Branded Glasses, Explores Watches and Earbuds

Meta Expands into Wearables: Oakley Smart Glasses, Smartwatches, and Earbuds on the Horizon

Meta Platforms Inc. is reportedly making significant strides in expanding its hardware offerings, with plans to introduce a range of new wearable devices. The company is focusing on integrating artificial intelligence features into these devices, aiming to offer more immersive and innovative user experiences. Among these new products are Oakley-branded smart glasses, which are said to be targeted towards athletes. This collaboration is expected to bring sports-focused smart glasses that cater to the unique needs of active users, with enhanced functionality for fitness tracking and performance analytics.

New Glasses and Upcoming High-End Wearables

In addition to the Oakley partnership, Meta’s Reality Labs division, responsible for its device development, is also working on high-end smart glasses that will feature a built-in display. These glasses, expected to launch in 2025, could bring augmented reality capabilities to a broader audience, expanding Meta’s reach beyond just virtual reality (VR). These developments signal Meta’s ambition to compete in the growing market for wearable technology, where Apple currently dominates with its popular Apple Watch and AirPods.

Competing with Apple in the Wearable Market

Meta’s venture into wearable tech is not limited to just glasses. The company is also working on creating products that could rival Apple’s smartwatch and AirPods. This could include smartwatches that integrate advanced AI for health monitoring and smart earbuds with camera capabilities, potentially offering features that go beyond what current devices offer. While Meta has yet to reveal full details of these products, they are expected to launch in the coming years, further strengthening the company’s position in the hardware space.

The Long-Term Goal: Augmented Reality

Perhaps the most ambitious project in Meta’s wearable pipeline is its long-awaited augmented reality (AR) glasses, which are being developed as the company’s first true AR product. This has long been considered the “holy grail” of wearable tech, as it could change how people interact with the world by overlaying digital content onto the physical environment. Meta is reportedly targeting a release of these AR glasses by 2027, a bold timeline that highlights the company’s commitment to shaping the future of augmented reality. However, details on this product remain scarce, with much of the development shrouded in secrecy for now.

Huawei Band 9 Launches in India With 2.5D AMOLED Display and Swimming Mode: Features and Price

Huawei Band 9 Launches in India: Features, Price, and Availability
Huawei has unveiled its latest smart wearable, the Huawei Band 9, in India. Serving as the successor to the Huawei Band 8, which debuted in July 2024, the new fitness tracker comes with upgraded features and enhanced functionality. Silently listed on Flipkart, the Band 9 features a 2.5D AMOLED screen with Always-On-Display (AOD) support, making it both stylish and practical. It is packed with health and fitness tracking tools, including sleep monitoring, stress assessment, blood oxygen level tracking, and heart rate monitoring. Notably, the smart band introduces a swimming mode that tracks metrics such as strokes, laps, and overall performance.

Pricing and Colour Options
The Huawei Band 9 is priced at Rs. 3,999 as a part of a limited-time offer, with its regular MRP listed at Rs. 5,999. The device will be available for purchase starting January 17 through Flipkart. Consumers can choose from four appealing color options: black, pink, white, and yellow. This pricing strategy positions the Band 9 as an affordable yet feature-rich option in the competitive fitness tracker market.

Specifications and Features
The Huawei Band 9 features a 1.47-inch rectangular AMOLED display with a resolution of 194 x 368 pixels and a pixel density of 282 ppi, delivering vibrant visuals and sharp text. Designed to work seamlessly with both Android and iOS devices, it uses Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity. The smart band’s case includes a physical button on the right side for easy navigation, while the strap, made from durable fluoroelastomer, ensures comfort during extended wear. Additionally, the Band 9 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it ideal for swimmers and fitness enthusiasts.

A Versatile Fitness Companion
With its comprehensive health tracking features, water resistance, and stylish design, the Huawei Band 9 is tailored for fitness enthusiasts and everyday users alike. The addition of a swimming mode expands its usability, catering to a wider audience of active individuals. By combining affordability with advanced features, Huawei aims to strengthen its foothold in India’s growing wearable tech market, making the Band 9 a compelling choice for budget-conscious consumers seeking functionality and style.

Amazfit Active 2 Debuts with 1.32-Inch AMOLED Display and Up to 10 Days of Battery Life: Price and Features Revealed

Amazfit has introduced its latest smartwatch, the Amazfit Active 2, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Los Angeles. Designed with fitness enthusiasts and tech-savvy users in mind, the Amazfit Active 2 features a 1.32-inch circular AMOLED display housed in a durable 44mm stainless steel case. This smartwatch offers more than 160 preset workout modes, making it an ideal companion for athletes and those looking to track various physical activities. Additionally, it is equipped with the BioTracker 6.0 PPG biosensor, which is designed to provide accurate heart rate monitoring and sleep cycle tracking, helping users maintain a holistic view of their health.

One of the standout features of the Amazfit Active 2 is its compatibility with the Zepp App, which offers a wealth of health and fitness data. The app delivers valuable insights into users’ daily activity levels, sleep patterns, and overall wellness, making it easier to track progress and set new fitness goals. For those who want a smartwatch that keeps up with their active lifestyle, the Amazfit Active 2 promises up to 10 days of battery life on a single charge, which is a significant advantage for users who don’t want to worry about charging their device frequently.

In terms of pricing, the Amazfit Active 2 starts at $99 (approximately Rs. 8,600) for the version featuring a silicone strap, making it a budget-friendly option for those looking for a high-performance wearable. For those seeking a more premium look and feel, the variant with a genuine leather strap is priced at $129.99 (approximately Rs. 11,100). The smartwatch is currently available for pre-order in the United States through Amazfit’s official website, with shipping set to begin in mid-January 2025.

Beyond the U.S., Amazfit has confirmed that the Active 2 will be available for purchase in select global markets starting in February 2025. This global rollout aims to bring the smartwatch’s advanced fitness tracking features to users worldwide, offering a stylish and practical solution for those interested in improving their overall health and fitness. With its combination of a sleek design, advanced health monitoring technology, and long-lasting battery life, the Amazfit Active 2 is poised to be a popular choice for fitness enthusiasts and smartwatch users alike.