Meta launches "AI necklace" test, aiming to ship 10 million wearable devices in the second half of the year

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Meta's VP of Wearable Devices Alex Himel disclosed in an internal memo that Meta plans to test an AI pendant device within the next year, integrating technology from Limitless (formerly Rewind, a $99 conversation recording and transcription pendant) which was acquired in late 2025. Meta aims to ship 10 million wearable devices in the second half of 2026, while simultaneously launching the "Wearables for Work" enterprise service and a smartwatch codenamed Malibu 2. (Background: Sneak peek at Meta's next-generation Ray-Ban smart glasses features: supports facial recognition, built-in AI assistant... launching in 2026) (Context: The AI wearable device era has arrived! A roundup of the wearable strategies of five tech giants: Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple) Key Highlights - Meta plans to test an AI pendant device within a year, integrating Limitless technology (the $99 conversation recording pendant) acquired in 2025/12 - Targeting shipments of 10 million wearable devices in H2 2026, while launching the Malibu 2 smartwatch and the enterprise version Wearables for Work - Reality Labs has accumulated losses of over $70 billion, with the budget pivoting significantly from VR toward smart glasses and wearable AI Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses sold 7 million pairs last year, three times the combined total of 2023 and 2024. But Zuckerberg evidently feels that glasses alone aren't enough — Meta's wearable AI ambitions are extending from the face down to the neck. On May 29, The Information cited an internal memo from Meta's VP of Wearable Devices Alex Himel, reporting that Meta plans to launch internal testing of an AI pendant device within the next year. The device is positioned as an "always-on" personal AI assistant, featuring meeting recording, conversation transcription, and real-time summarization, and serving as the core hardware for the "Wearables for Work" enterprise wearable service. This isn't a concept device dreamed up out of thin air — Meta already paid to acquire a ready-made product last December. On December 5, 2025, Meta acquired AI wearable startup Limitless (formerly Rewind), whose flagship product is a pendant device priced at $99 that can record face-to-face conversations, automatically transcribe them, and generate summaries. Founder Dan Siroker (former CEO of Optimizely) joined the Meta team after the acquisition, Limitless immediately stopped external sales, and the Rewind App was officially removed on December 19. Malibu 2 Watch Restarted, Shipment Target of 10 Million Units The Himel memo revealed more than just the pendant. Meta has simultaneously revived the smartwatch project that was shelved in 2022 due to cost cuts, with the internal codename "Malibu 2," featuring biometric health monitoring and a built-in Meta AI assistant, positioned as a complementary device to the Ray-Ban glasses. The overall goal is clear: shipping 10 million wearable devices in H2 2026. Ray-Ban Meta's new prescription lens models Blayzer and Scriber went on sale on April 14, starting at $499; the production target of lens manufacturing partner EssilorLuxottica is to double output to 20 million pairs by year-end. Meta is internally readjusting Reality Labs' hardware roadmap to avoid market confusion caused by clustered launches of multiple devices. Meta is transforming from a "smart glasses company" into a "wearable AI platform." The Wearable AI Battle Meta has previously paid plenty of tuition fees as well — Reality Labs has accumulated losses of over $70 billion since late 2020, with a single-quarter loss of $4.03 billion in Q1 2026 against revenue of only $402 million. Last year saw layoffs of approximately 1,500 people (10% of the division), the closure of four internal gaming studios, and a major budget shift from VR headsets toward smart glasses and wearable devices. Meta isn't the only major company betting on wearable AI. OpenAI is collaborating with former Apple design chief Jony Ive to develop AI glasses and smart speakers, manufactured by iPhone assembler Pegatron, targeting a launch by the end of 2026. Apple is reportedly developing an AI wearable device the size of an AirTag, equipped with a microphone, speaker, and camera, expected to launch in 2027. It appears the offerings of the two giants are converging. FAQ What is the Meta AI pendant device? A wearable AI device that Meta plans to test, integrating the acquired Limitless technology. It can record, transcribe conversations, and automatically generate summaries. Positioned as an "always-on" office AI assistant, the price is expected to reference Limitless's original $99 price point. What is Meta's wearable device sales target for 2026? Meta aims to ship 10 million wearable devices in H2 2026. Ray-Ban Meta glasses sold 7 million pairs in 2025, and lens partner EssilorLuxottica's 2026 production target doubles to 20 million pairs. This article is sourced from a report by The Information, compiled and organized by BlockTempo.

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