According to a media report, Facebook is entering the highly competitive market for digital watches. The Internet company (Instagram, WhatsApp) is building a smartwatch that users can use to send messages and that also offers health and fitness functions, reported the magazine “The Information” on Friday (local time). It refers to people with direct knowledge of the plans. The devices should therefore be sold from next year.

Facebook meets strong competition: the market for smartwatches is currently dominated by Apple and Huawei. Facebook has already penetrated the hardware sector several times in the past few years. It has launched products such as the Oculus virtual reality headset and the Portal video chat device. The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on the media report. (apa / reuters)