Meta's next version of its Ray-Ban Display smart glasses could be arriving later this year, and along with them, a watch. A new report from The Information says the smartwatch, codenamed Malibu 2, could have fitness features like an Apple Watch or Fitbit. But the real reason for a watch like this to emerge now is to work with smart glasses. Let me explain.

When I talked with Meta's CTO Andrew Bosworth last year, he told me that the neural band Meta released with the Ray-Ban Display glasses last fall was something that would eventually make sense as part of a watch. That's exactly what I think will happen this year.

Meta representatives didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Meta won't be alone in a mission to triangulate wearables. Apple is reportedly planning on releasing glasses and maybe a pin to go with AirPods and Apple Watch. Google's XR team confirmed to me that its upcoming 2026 smart glasses will work with Android watches, too.

The biggest problem with Meta's fascinating neural band accessory, which uses skin-based electromyography to sense motor neuron signals and translate them into interface gestures, is that it currently works only to control Ray-Ban Display glasses. Meta's already been exploring other devices its neural band tech could connect with: I tried a demo of Meta's neural band in a concept Garmin smart car cabin at CES back in January. 

But Meta's wearables team is also likely working on ways to have a wrist wearable do more than just recognize hand gestures. Enter a smartwatch, which could add fitness tracking. Meta's already been dipping its toes into fitness over the past year, too: The company's Oakley Vanguard sports glasses feature heart rate-tracking LED indicators and pair with Garmin watches.

If I were to guess a partner for this smartwatch, it would be Garmin. Meta clearly has a partnership going with them, both for existing glasses fitness functions and the smart car demo I tried. Of all the smartwatch makers out there that aren't Apple-, Google- or Samsung-made, Garmin is the best remaining bet.

One thing a watch could also do is be a better glasses companion. A touchscreen could potentially act as a viewfinder or control the on-glasses camera. 

A watch could be another place Meta could explore onboard AI, either as a glasses companion or for AI-powered fitness functions.

We probably won't know more until later this year, since Meta's Connect developer conference, where its new products tend to be announced, usually happens in September. But debuting a new neural-equipped watch with next-gen Ray-Ban Display glasses (hopefully with a wider range of subscription support and developer access to create apps) would make a lot of sense as Apple and Google look ready to dive into the same territory.