Facebook’s notched smartwatch design is a no-go

We’ve seen notches enjoy a mild revival of late. Sure, we still see them used on several smartphones, but that’s largely where they’ve stayed. Last month, we saw the notch make a return to Apple’s Macbooks, and even Samsung is rumored to place a notch on its forthcoming flagship tablet. Now, Facebook could be the firm to set a notch of a smartwatch.

A new image uncovered from Facebook’s View iPhone app suggests that its rumored smartwatch will use a notch at the bottom of its display to house a camera. But what do you think about notches on smartwatches? We asked you in a recent poll, and the results are now in!

What do you think of display notches on smartwatches?

Results

More than 1,500 votes were cast in this poll since it went live on October 29. After a weekend to ponder the question, respondents came out in full force against the notch. More than two-thirds (67.8%) of voters “hate” the idea of display notches on smartwatches, and understandably so. Although the design would allow Facebook to keep bezels narrow while including a camera, maximizing a smartwatch’s display is arguably more important. A notch would rob the display of essential real estate.

See also: The best smartwatches you can buy

Just 11% of those voting are entirely comfortable with notches on smartwatches. A camera would add heaps of utility to a wearable, too. If used in conjunction with Facebook’s video calling-capable apps, users would be able to receive or place video calls on the go. But is this bit of utility genuinely worth it, especially if you can do the same with the smartphone in your pocket? Well, around 21% of respondents are “indifferent” and can’t quite decide if they prefer the design, and added utility, over traditional smartwatches.

Of course, this wouldn’t be Facebook’s first wearable product with a camera. The company recently outed a pair of sunglasses alongside Ray-Ban that packed a couple of shooters. However, Ray-Ban Stories‘ cameras don’t interfere with their core design. Beyond the notch, some readers highlighted a few other possible issues with Facebook’s smartwatch in general. Peruse some of these views below.

Your comments

• Jonathan K: Seems like you would need to take the watch off when going into a locker room or restroom or make people nervous about it.
• wow: Hopefully that watch gets banned from everywhere like Google Glass. Facebook is the worst company to give extra information to. No watch should have a camera in it for privacy/security purposes.
• JL T0x: Do we really need/want cameras on our smartwatches. Tech over-kill with too many areas for (mis)usage. Imagine corporations/gyms banning their employees/members from wearing any type of smartwatch due to privacy concerns of all kinds. Think about how the smartglasses have been received to this point.
• Billy Simms: I  would never buy hardware from Facebook. Bring on the Pixel watch!

That’s it for this poll. Thanks for your votes and comments. Have any more thoughts about Facebook’s smartwatch with a notch? Drop them in the comments below.