Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the company has been renamed Meta; focused on metaverse technology and services.
The company recently came under fire after whistle-blower Frances Haugen (former Product Manager) released internal research and documents showing Facebook were aware of “toxic” problems of its social media on people; but were doing nothing about it. Nonetheless, some doubted her motives.
This may be what led to Facebook (the company, not the social media platform) changing its name. It’s motive was stated as in effort to be known for more than social media and its harms. Zuckerberg stated the company would “effectively transition from people seeing us as primarily being a social media company to being a metaverse company.” This metaverse company is now known as Meta.
In the Facebook Connect 2021 Opening Keynote, Zuckerberg highlights how Facebook at the time was used to find most information on the internet. Wanting to continue using technology to connect people, the metaverse (a conceived future version of the Internet utilizing virtual worlds and augmented reality) will be the “next frontier,” as social media was when it first launched.
Combining virtual reality, augmented reality, and smart glasses are promised to come together, and put people at the center of their technology; boasting greater creativity, more open, more experiences, more connections, and more learning and connections. Zuckerberg also alluded to how closed platforms had stifled creativity in the past, though did not state how open Meta’s future efforts would be.
While work will continue on apps, Meta will focus on future platforms. However, the company will become “metaverse first” over time, and consumers won’t need to use Facebook to use their other services.
You can find the rundown (via Meta) below.
Connection is evolving and so are we.
The metaverse is the next evolution of social connection. Our company’s vision is to help bring the metaverse to life, so we are changing our name to reflect our commitment to this future.The metaverse will be social
3D spaces in the metaverse will let you socialize, learn, collaborate and play in ways that go beyond what we can imagine. […]Building the metaverse
We’re already developing exciting new technologies that will help people connect and explore in the metaverse.Virtual reality
Virtual reality lets you explore new worlds and shared experiences. With Quest, even if you’re far apart, you can discover new experiences with friends and family together.Augmented reality
Through photo and video, AR lets you enhance shared experiences with playful virtual effects at swipe of a screen, letting you express yourself with the people who matter most.Smart glasses
Wearable technology like smart glasses will become gateways into the metaverse, allowing you to interact with the world around you. Smart glasses, which allow you to record audio and video with just a touch, are just the first step in this journey.[…]
A future made by all of us
The metaverse will be a collective project that goes beyond a single company. It will be created by people all over the world, and open to everyone.
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