After a whistleblower disclosed hundreds of internal documents, Facebook is changing its name to Meta as it faces a widespread examination of the real-world problems caused by its numerous platforms.
The change will relegate Facebook’s flagship service, along with Instagram and WhatsApp, to the status of a subsidiary, rather than the company’s overall brand.
A rebranding might be part of an effort to repair Facebook’s image and turn the page after a string of PR disasters, including misinformation on its platforms, content moderation failures, and revelations about its products’ bad impact on some users’ mental health.
Mark Zuckerberg announced the name change during Facebook Connect, the company’s virtual reality and augmented reality conference. It corresponds with the company’s growing focus on the metaverse, which refers to efforts to blend virtual and augmented reality technology in a new online universe.
On Thursday, Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook’s co-founder, and CEO teased a variety of new social, gaming, and workplace concepts for the metaverse, while also admitting the optics of focusing on such items amid increasing scrutiny of the firm.
“I understand that some may argue that now is not the time to think about the future, and I want to admit that there are vital concerns to address right now.” There will always be,” Zuckerberg remarked in a video that preceded his address.
“I’m not convinced there will ever be a decent time to focus on the future for many individuals.” But I’m sure there are a lot of people who feel the same way as I do.”
“What we’re building is what we live for,” Zuckerberg continued. “And even when we make mistakes, we keep learning, creating, and progressing.”
Facebook’s eighth annual Connect event was live-streamed to showcase the company’s latest augmented and virtual reality inventions and research, as well as its vision for the metaverse, which refers to efforts that merge virtual and augmented reality technology in a new online platform.
Facebook demonstrated its vision for the metaverse with a series of concept videos, including sending a holographic representation of yourself to a performance with a buddy who was there in person, sitting around virtual meeting tables with remote colleagues, and playing immersive games with friends.
In addition, Zuckerberg said that Messenger calling will be available in VR, as well as plans to launch a virtual marketplace where developers can sell virtual products and a redesigned home page in Oculus Quest to make virtual world conversation and games more social.
“Your devices will no longer be the center of your attention,” he stated. “In the next five to ten years, we’ll see a lot of these technologies coming together.” A lot of this will become commonplace, and many of us will be building and inhabiting worlds just as vivid and believable as this one on a regular basis.”
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