Where some of the big brands are stalling with their virtual reality plans, Facebook is pushing forward.
Hence, we will have a look at Facebook’s obsession with virtual reality, the social media behemoth’s development to date, and Mark Zuckerberg’s bold aspirations for 1 billion virtual reality users.
Facebook Buys Oculus Rift – 2014
Oculus launched a Kickstarter, crowdfunding campaign, in 2012, to fund the development of the Oculus Rift. They had founded the company just two months earlier yet raised 2.5million USD to produce the virtual reality headset.
Facebook then purchased Oculus for a whopping $2 billion, seeing the potential for Facebook, Oculus and virtual reality, as massive. Mark Zuckerberg was already a significant advocate for virtual reality.
The Oculus Rift virtual reality headset went through a lengthy development stage, producing many prototypes, around five reached the public for demonstration. “Development Kits” DK1 and DK2 were shipped in 2013 and 2014.
A consumer version finally became available to purchasers for $599 and was sent to Kickstarter backers in early 2016. Oculus were finally on their way to achieving their goal of delivering an affordable virtual reality headset to gamers and enthusiasts.
Facebook CEO described the acquisition of Oculus Rift:
“At this point, we feel we’re in a position where we can start focusing on what platforms will come next to enable even more useful, entertaining and personal experiences. With Oculus, it’s that they’re the clear leader in something that has the potential to be the next important or one of the next most important computing platforms.”
Though Zuckerberg, of course, invested in social media, Oculus would continue its march into the virtual reality games market, which is where they gained most of their support during the Kickstarter campaign.
The Oculus Rift founders shared their thoughts on their blog:
“Over the next ten years, virtual reality will become ubiquitous, affordable, and transformative, and it begins with a truly next-generation gaming experience.”
Mark Zuckerberg also sees the potential past virtual reality social media and virtual reality gaming, writing:
“Imagine enjoying a courtside seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face – just by putting on goggles in your home.”
There is also no doubt after Facebook’s success with their online advertising programs that somewhere there is a plan, to make millions from advertising in virtual reality. Facebook also owns Instagram and WhatsApp.
Facebook and Oculus Rift Today
At the Oculus’ Connect Conference recently, Mark Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s goal for virtual reality growth: they want 1 billion users of virtual reality.
It’s a big goal. So far, a few million virtual reality headsets have been sold worldwide. Oculus Rift has sold around 1 million headsets this summer.
How will Facebook continue their obsession with VR and get 1 billion users? Here are some of the endeavour they’re planning to undertake:
Oculus Go Launching In 2018
One plan from Facebook appears to be the launch of the Oculus Go. A standalone virtual reality headset, set to release in early 2018.
Priced at around $199 it’s sitting technologically and is priced, between the top end Oculus Rift, at $499, and the Gear VR, approximately $129.
The Oculus Go is designed to be used alone, without a smartphone or a computer. It’s made to be an easy way for anyone to try out virtual reality.
The Oculus Go will compete directly with Google which is aiming to launch standalone virtual reality Daydream headsets with HTC and Lenovo.
Mark Zuckerberg portrays the Oculus Go as the “sweet spot in the middle” between expensive PC-based VR headsets and their smartphone-powered counterparts.
The Oculus Go has cameras embedded in the headset itself to track your movements, so there are no cameras required around the room. It also has motion controllers.
Developers are likely to receive versions of the Oculus Go around now, so they can continue to develop new content, to fit the latest Oculus device.
The development of standalone virtual reality headsets marks a major milestone in our virtual reality journey. So far virtual reality headsets either have to be used with a smartphone or with a computer or games console.
Interestingly Facebook is also a partner of Samsung’s Gear VR headset. We wonder how much more virtual reality projects Facebook has on the go!
Oculus Rift Reduces Price
Facebook/Oculus are also bringing down the price of the Oculus Rift, with a bundle of the Rift and Touch now for just $399, to make the Rift more affordable, and accessible to more buyers.
Facebook Venues
Facebook is also working on Facebook “Venues” for live sports, concerts and other events. Planned for 2018, you will be able to watch key events with friends, and maybe even the rest of the world!
Oculus Dash
Included with Oculus Core 2.0 update in December is a new interface, Oculus Dash, which allows you to customise your virtual reality home space, and replace your single monitor with unlimited virtual screen space. You no longer need to think about multiple monitors; you can multi-task in virtual reality.
In virtual reality, with Oculus Dash, you can use Windows, code, use Facebook and even Google Chrome.
Facebook 3D posts
Another development announced by Oculus Connect. Facebook will now allow you to share virtual reality objects you make using Oculus Medium or the Facebook Spaces marker drawing app, in your news feed.
You can edit your posts using lots of 3D features, and share them with non-virtual reality Facebook users.
Facebook Spaces
The Facebook Spaces app gives cartoon-like avatars who suggest activities; it has a marker pen drawing app and now will have Facebook Spaces “masks” you can wear while interacting with friends.
Facebook Spaces is Facebook’s social virtual reality app; it’s an environment more specifically for VR than Facebook 360.
In Spaces you can “hang out” with up to four friends as your avatars. You can also video chat through Facebook Messenger, broadcast with Facebook Live and take virtual selfies.
Is It Just Facebook With an Obsession for Virtual Reality?
Though Facebook’s aspiration of 1 billion virtual reality users means there will be some significant development work, and investment, they are not the alone ones stepping up to virtual reality.
Microsoft’s next version of Windows 10 is going to be geared for virtual and augmented reality. Linden Lan who created virtual life simulation Second Life is working on a new virtual world – Sansar.
There are many big names with big plans – watch this space for more news and the latest developments.
And if you’re interested in more than just Facebook’s obsession with virtual reality, read about the use of virtual reality in the future.
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