Introduction to Facebook’s Virtual Reality
Facebook’s latest enterprise into virtual reality is an exciting development that would change the way in which we interact with one another and with technology. Last week, I had the chance to go to Facebook’s offices in New York and check out out their virtual reality product, Spaces. The experience was each recent and familiar, like a mixture of social media and video games.
What is Spaces?
Inside the Spaces platform, users could make Messenger calls, draw things, hang around in numerous virtual settings, and consider the identical Facebook content that is available on the app or website. What’s unique about Spaces is that it’s accessible to people with out a headset, allowing users to make Messenger calls to individuals who aren’t in virtual reality even while they’re. This feature makes it easier for people to attach with one another, no matter whether or not they have a virtual reality headset or not.
The Mastermind Behind Facebook’s Social VR
While I used to be at Facebook, I had the prospect to sit down down with Rachel Franklin, Facebook’s head of social VR. With over 20 years of experience within the video game industry, Franklin brings a wealth of information to the corporate. She previously worked at Electronic Arts, where she was involved in the event of the best-selling game The Sims. In an interview, Franklin shared her insights on Facebook’s try to make VR cool and accessible to a wider audience.
The Risky Bet on Virtual Reality
Facebook’s investment in virtual reality is a dangerous bet, but one that would potentially repay. The company spent $2 billion on Oculus VR, a virtual reality startup, three years ago. Since then, it has been attempting to work out what to do with the technology. Spaces, which was debuted last October, is the primary major project to come back out of this investment. While it’s a powerful platform, it’s still unclear whether it can persuade people to purchase an Oculus headset.
The Current State of Virtual Reality
Currently, virtual reality continues to be a distinct segment technology, with only around 6.3 million headsets sold last yr, in line with a report from Super Data, a market research firm. While this number is growing, it’s still a small fraction of the general tech market. Facebook’s success in making VR mainstream will depend upon its ability to create engaging and accessible experiences like Spaces.
Conclusion
Facebook’s foray into virtual reality is an exciting development that would change the way in which we interact with one another and with technology. While Spaces is a promising platform, it’s still unclear whether it can turn into a daily a part of our lives, like Facebook’s News Feed has. As virtual reality technology continues to evolve, it can be interesting to see how Facebook and other corporations innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible. With its investment in Oculus VR and the event of Spaces, Facebook is taking a major step towards making VR more accessible and mainstream.
