News

Facebook Is Working On A Smartwatch With Messaging & Health-Tracking Capabilities

Published

4 years ago

February 16, 2021

As part of its ongoing quest to dominate our lives, Facebook is working on a smartwatch with messaging and health-tracking capabilities, informed The Information on Friday.

The smartwatch will reportedly run on the Android operating system, but it’s unclear whether if Facebook decides to use the established Wear OS platform or release the smartwatch with its own flavor of Android.

In any case, Facebook’s smartwatch will focus heavily on messaging and health-tracking, presumably featuring lightweight versions of the social network’s family of services, including not only Facebook but also Instagram and WhatsApp.

Because the smartwatch will have a built-in eSIM card, it won’t have to be tethered to a smartphone to access the internet, a feature that’s guaranteed to appeal to all fitness users, especially if it delivers integrations with products from companies like Peloton.

The release of the Facebook smartwatch won’t be the company’s first push into other market segments. For example, Facebook’s Oculus VR headsets are among the most popular products of their kind, boasting a thriving ecosystem that’s home to some of the most innovative virtual reality experiences currently available.

As such, the biggest obstacle standing in Facebook’s way to success likely won’t be its ability to create an attractive product but its poor reputation among consumers and regulators, neither of which might not be thrilled by the idea of the company having access to users’ health data 24×7.

Also Read: Apple Likely To Release 8K VR Headset In 2022

Of course, Portal, a standalone video chat device released by Facebook that sparked similar privacy concerns, is still selling well, so it seems that many consumers are still willing to sacrifice their privacy if it means getting their hands on an attractive product.

While the first generation of the Facebook smartwatch will probably play it safe, future generations could benefit from Facebook’s acquisition of the neural interface startup CTRL-Labs in 2019, which specializes in building wireless input mechanisms.

News

UAE’s Etihad Rail Launches In 2026 — What You Need To Know

A 1,200 km passenger network will transform public transport, with 11 connected cities, and high-speed trains cutting inter-emirate travel times.

Published

1 day ago

May 19, 2025

Nour Nasir

Etihad Rail

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its long-anticipated passenger train service will officially launch in 2026, ushering in a new era of high-speed, inter-emirate travel. The UAE’s national railway developer shared the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), as work continues on a 1,200 km passenger network set to connect 11 cities across all seven emirates.

The news marks a major leap in public transportation for the country, with passenger trains designed to reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Travel times will be significantly reduced — Abu Dhabi to Dubai is expected to take just under an hour, while the journey to Fujairah will be cut to around 105 minutes. A separate high-speed line, capable of reaching 350 km/h, is also in the works to link Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes.

The backbone of the network was completed in 2023, when Etihad Rail launched its 900 km freight service linking key industrial and logistics hubs across the UAE, including ports in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Fujairah. Now, the focus has shifted to passenger infrastructure.

The first station will be located in Sakamkam, Fujairah city centre, and a second is confirmed near University City in Sharjah. Dubai’s main station is expected to be adjacent to Jumeirah Golf Estates Metro Station, while Abu Dhabi’s is anticipated along the corridor separating Mussafah Industrial Area and Mohammed Bin Zayed City.

Also Read: UGREEN Nexode Pro Review: Portable Yet Powerful Chargers

Once completed, the passenger network will link cities including Al Sila, Al Ruwais, Al Mirfa, Dubai, Sharjah, Al Dhaid, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah. Integration with Oman is also part of the long-term vision. A new cross-border project — Hafeet Rail — will span 303 km between Sohar and Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba area. Developed by Etihad Rail in collaboration with Oman Rail and Mubadala, the link is expected to deepen trade and tourism ties between the two countries.

Etihad Rail’s passenger trains will carry up to 400 passengers each and feature Wi-Fi, entertainment systems, charging points, and onboard food and beverage options to ensure a comfortable experience. To further simplify access, passengers will be able to pay with their nol cards, thanks to a partnership between Etihad Rail and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The collaboration aims to integrate fare payments and booking systems under one unified platform.