You’ve probably seen these things and didn't even realize what they were. Small, sleek, and usually glowing with a ring of light, the Facebook Gizmo touch panel (specifically the FBG-1701) is one of those pieces of hardware that lives in the shadows of Meta’s more famous products like the Quest or Ray-Ban smart glasses. It isn't a consumer tablet. You can't buy it at Best Buy to scroll through Reels.
Honestly, the name "Gizmo" sounds like a prototype from a 90s sci-fi flick. But in reality, it’s a rugged, specialized touch controller designed for one very specific job: managing the chaos of corporate meeting rooms. If you’ve ever walked into a high-end tech office and seen a little screen outside a conference room showing a red or green light, you’ve likely met a Gizmo.
Why the Facebook Gizmo touch panel exists
Tech companies hate wasted space. At a scale like Meta’s, managing thousands of meeting rooms across global campuses is a logistical nightmare. They needed a device that was more reliable than a standard iPad and cheaper than high-end custom AV systems.
Enter the FBG-1701.
It’s basically a hardened terminal. It uses Power over Ethernet (PoE), which is a fancy way of saying it gets its power and its internet through a single cable. This is huge for IT departments because they don't have to worry about batteries dying or Wi-Fi dropping out in the middle of a high-stakes board meeting.
The "Gizmo" name actually refers to the internal project designation. Within Meta, these units are the unsung heroes of daily operations. They run a persistent web-based interface that connects directly to the company’s internal calendar systems.
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The hardware inside the FBG-1701
Don't expect the latest Snapdragon chip here. It doesn't need it.
The internals are surprisingly utilitarian. We're talking about a 16:10 aspect ratio screen that is built for durability rather than 4K movie watching. Based on FCC filings and hardware teardowns, the device features a fairly standard CPU board paired with a carrier board and specialized I/O.
One of the coolest—and most functional—parts is the LED board. It drives a big, bright light ring around the edge of the frame.
- Green: The room is free. Go ahead and duck in for that "quick sync."
- Red: It's booked. Don't be the person who knocks on the glass.
- Yellow/Amber: Someone booked it, but they haven't checked in yet. If they don't show up in five minutes, the Gizmo releases the room.
It also packs a digital microphone and a speaker. Why? Because the "outside" Gizmo is usually paired with an identical "inside" Gizmo. The one inside the room acts as the brain for the Video Conferencing (VC) equipment. You walk in, tap one button on the panel, and the cameras, mics, and monitors all spring to life.
The "Gizmo" vs. "Facebook Touch" confusion
If you’ve been searching for information on this, you might have stumbled across something called "Facebook Touch." Let's clear that up: they are totally different things.
Facebook Touch was an old, third-party mobile web interface launched way back in 2009 by H5 Apps. It was meant for early smartphones that struggled with the heavy, bloated original Facebook app.
The Facebook Gizmo touch panel is physical hardware. It’s a piece of plastic, glass, and circuitry. You can’t download "Gizmo" as an app on your iPhone.
Can you actually use one at home?
Lately, these things have been popping up on eBay and surplus sites for anywhere from $30 to $50. It’s tempting. A high-quality PoE touch panel for the price of a takeout dinner? Sounds like a deal for a smart home enthusiast.
But here’s the catch.
These are secure terminals. They are designed to boot from a specific network and communicate with Meta’s internal servers. Out of the box, they are essentially very pretty paperweights.
Some hardware hackers have had luck "liberating" them. Since they essentially run persistent webpages (JS + HTML), if you can get past the bootloader or redirect the network requests, you could theoretically turn one into a dedicated dashboard for Home Assistant or a kitchen calendar.
Is it easy? No.
Is it worth it? Only if you enjoy spending your Saturday nights troubleshooting Linux kernels and PoE injectors.
The future of Meta's room controllers
As of 2026, Meta has been leaning more into their "Portal for Business" and integrated Reality Labs tech. While the FBG-1701 Gizmo was the workhorse for years, we’re seeing a shift toward more integrated systems that use the same "Meta AI" found in their glasses.
Imagine walking up to a room and just saying "Hey Meta, book this for thirty minutes," instead of tapping a screen. That's where things are headed. But for now, the physical touch panel remains the most reliable way to ensure you don't accidentally walk into a meeting you weren't invited to.
Actionable Takeaways for Hardware Enthusiasts
If you find a Facebook Gizmo touch panel at a surplus auction, keep these points in mind:
- Check the model: The FBG-1701 is the most common, but variants exist with different NFC or Bluetooth capabilities.
- Power requirements: You will need a PoE (802.3af/at) switch or a 12V DC power adapter. It won't work with a standard USB-C charger.
- Network lock: Be prepared for the fact that the software is likely locked to a corporate intranet. Unless you are comfortable with custom firmware, it may not do much more than light up its LEDs.
- Mounting: These are designed to be wall-mounted or attached to glass. They don't usually come with a kickstand for a desk.
Ultimately, the Gizmo is a fascinating look at how a massive tech company builds its own tools when the "off-the-shelf" options aren't good enough. It’s a piece of corporate history that’s now finding its way into the hands of hobbyists and collectors.