Meta is reportedly developing a new AI-powered wearable in the form of a pendant, signalling a deeper push into personal AI hardware. The move comes as the company’s hardware division, Reality Labs, continues to face significant financial pressure.
Quick Facts
- Initial testing is planned for next year.
- The device builds on tech from AI startup Limitless.
- Part of a wider strategy including AI glasses.
From Limitless Acquisition to a New Wearable
According to an internal memo cited by The Information, the new device will likely incorporate technology from Limitless, an AI startup Meta acquired in late 2025.
Limitless specialized in an AI-powered pendant designed to be worn or attached to clothing. The device recorded conversations, which could then be automatically processed and organized. At the time of the acquisition, Meta stated the deal would accelerate its development of AI-enabled wearables.
Can Meta Overcome Wearable AI’s Privacy Problem?
While the concept of AI wearables is gaining traction, previous devices in this category have failed to achieve mainstream adoption.
Key hurdles include significant privacy concerns around constant conversation recording, a weak value proposition for everyday users, and marketing that struggled to explain the need for such a device. Despite these challenges, major tech players, including OpenAI, continue to explore new forms of AI hardware.
Expanding the Wearables Ecosystem: Glasses and Enterprise
The AI pendant is just one piece of Meta’s larger ambitions. The internal memo also revealed plans to expand its lineup of AI-powered glasses.
Furthermore, Meta is preparing to launch a business subscription service called “Wearables for Work.” This suggests the company is targeting both consumer and enterprise customers with its next generation of wearable devices.
A High-Stakes Bet for Reality Labs
These new product initiatives arrive as Meta’s hardware-focused Reality Labs division continues to post heavy losses, reporting a $4 billion loss in the first quarter of this year.
Meta appears to be betting that a new suite of AI-enabled devices, including the reported pendant and updated glasses, can help turn around the division’s financial performance and secure its long-term future.
Implications for MENA’s AI and Wearables Market
For the MENA region, Meta’s move into AI wearables is particularly relevant. With a young, tech-forward population and high smartphone penetration, the GCC and broader Middle East represent a key growth market for new consumer electronics.
Additionally, with governments in the UAE and Saudi Arabia championing national AI strategies, Meta’s “Wearables for Work” offering could find a receptive audience in the region’s rapidly digitizing enterprise sector. However, the device’s success will hinge on Meta’s ability to navigate local data privacy regulations and cultural sensitivities around recording technology.
About Meta
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. The company’s platforms include Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the hardware-focused Reality Labs division, which is developing products for augmented and virtual reality.
Source: entarabi
