Mark Zuckerberg continues to spend more and more money to make Facebook the world wide leader in technology.
Facebook, which just recently purchased the social communication app WhatsApp for $16 billion plus as much as $3 billion in future payouts, announced that it had reached a $2 billion agreement to buy Oculus VR. Oculus VR, a small start-up that has not yet shipped a product to the broader public, is the maker of a virtual reality headset. The belief is that this is the next big thing in computing platform as it will bring a 3D experience to your social networking experience.
Many believe that Zuckerberg is taking a big risk given that the company is still small and relatively new. However, Zuckerberg completely disagrees and is making a bet that a technology commonly associate with science fiction can help enhance his users social media experience into a 3D experience!
“Imagine enjoying a court side 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,” Zuckerberg said.
Brendan Iribe who is the co-founder of Oculus VR said, “If you can see somebody else, and your brain believes they’re right in front of you, you get goosebumps…You start to realize how big this really could be.”
Facebook will pay $400 million in cash and $1.6 billion in stock investment of Oculus in the deal. Facebook with this deal is attempting to fuse social media and gaming together.
The scary thing is, are we ever going to interact with people again face to face. We already spend enough time on the web and speaking to friends via text, post, web chat, and Facebook that people are losing their ability to communicate with their actual words. How do we expect to grow as individuals if we cannot present things in person and use our words on the spot?
The fact remains however that a $2 billion investment compared to the $16 billion invested in WhatsApp is a small price to pay when you are Zuckerberg to perhaps have greatness in the future.
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