Trying to take on Apple? Facebook is reportedly building smartwatch with health features

Facebook is building a smartwatch that will let users send messages and also offer health and fitness features, The Information reported on Friday, citing people with direct knowledge of the device.

The social media giant plans to start selling the device next year, according to the report, a move that would mark its entry into a market currently dominated by Apple and Huawei.

Facebook's smartwatch will work via a cellular connection, letting users send messages through its services and also connect to the services or hardware of health and fitness companies, such as Peloton Interactive, according to the report.

Menlo Park, California-based Facebook has been foraying into the hardware sector in recent years, coming up with products including virtual reality headset Oculus and video chatting device Portal.

Facebook did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment. 

Given that Facebook and Apple have been at loggerheads for a while now thanks to Apple's new privacy labels on the App Store and the introduction of a feature that allows users to opt out of lettings apps track them, this could be Facebook's latest foray in trying to take on Apple. 

The Apple Watch is one of the most popular smartwatches that comes with a host of health features including SpO2 measurement, fall detection etc.