Facebook Inc. has acquired the virtual reality headset maker Oculus VR for $2 billion. This is believed to give the social site an advantage in competing in the hardware industry.
The Irvine-based Oculus VR is a startup founded by Palmer Luckey, Brendan Iribe, Michael Antonov, and Nate Mitchell. It developed the virtual reality device Oculus Rift, which looks like a thick blackened swimming goggles, for personal computers. It is worn by gamers to experience the feel of being in the game without being physically there.
Since it is mainly used for games, some find it odd that Facebook acquired it.
During a conference call with its investors, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told Businessweek, "There are not that many companies building technologies that can be the next major computer platform. We are making a long-term bet that immersive virtual reality will be a part of people's lives."
Zuckerberg was reportedly more interested with the device's other potential uses. He's engrossed in making the Rift usable in doing many things like watching a tournament, listening to school classes worldwide, or even speaking with a doctor without the need of moving places, but with just wearing the device.
He wrote in a blog post, "Our mission is to make the world more open and connected. For the past few years, this has mostly meant building mobile apps that help you share with the people you care about."
"This is really a new communication platform. By feeling truly present, you can share unbounded spaces and experiences with the people in your life. Imagine sharing not just moments with your friends online, but entire experiences and adventures," he added.
However, some were not convinced of Zuckerberg's plans, because while it can be used in doing different things to enjoy online social interactions, it separates the user from the real world.
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