News that Facebook is working on a smartwatch begs the question of what features the device might have. It's already suggested that the device will be Android-based and have messaging, health, and fitness features. Facebook, though, has a huge user base, a wealth of existing features as part of its platform, and a vast amount of user data that it can harness to make something that no other company could.
Any such device will, naturally, raise concerns about privacy. Facebook's ongoing spat with Apple has served to remind people about just how much user data it collects and to make people again consider what is reasonable in terms of data collection. However, Facebook also has a long history of innovation, with features like the newsfeed, photo, and video sharing, and friend and location tagging introduced either first, early, or in a new way.
The question is, how might Facebook apply its ability for innovation to a smartwatch? If, as The Information says, the device is an attempt by Facebook to get a foothold in the "next computing platforms after smartphones," the company will surely want to set itself apart from competitors in ways that only it could. To do that, it need only make use of the things that are already unique to it.
What Features Could A Facebook Smartwatch Have?
It has already been suggested that messaging will be a major part of the rumored smartwatch and we could expect Facebook's existing Messenger platform to be deeply integrated into the device. However, the company also now has experience working with the video and voice command functionalities of Portal, which it could integrate into a smartwatch to create the most powerful wrist-worn communications device available to consumers.
The other major focus of the smartwatch is said to be health and fitness. While this is already a competitive market in terms of devices and services, Facebook has the benefit of having an existing user base of nearly 3 billion. This means it could create a community based on the health and fitness tracking features of a smartwatch that would immediately be one of the biggest around and that could pit friends against each other for motivation like no other company can do.
Even in terms of more mundane features, there is potential for Facebook to set itself apart from the competition. Proximity alerts for nearby Facebook friends could be given. Its events platform could give reminders and directions to venues. Facebook's Watch video platform could serve relevant content to a user's watch while they're commuting. Users could even broadcast to Facebook Live from their wrist. Such are the resources that Facebook has to draw on that any smartwatch it develops could be a truly innovative device. Concerns about privacy, however, will remain.
Source: The Information