CNBC - Meta is revamping its Horizon Worlds virtual reality app to include more video games and attract a larger audience. The company has introduced an in-house studio, Ouro Interactive, focused on creating first-party VR games. The new studio's debut game, "Super Rumble," boasts improved graphics and fidelity compared to other VR games on Horizon Worlds. Meta plans to release a mobile version of the app, acting as a bridge between smartphones and VR headsets, and aims to provide compelling content to users from day one.
136 posts categorized "Meta"
Meta Is Rebooting Horizon Worlds as the VR Platform Struggles to Grow
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Facebook's Meta and Microsoft Also Own "X" Trademarks for Social Media
FUTURISM - Twitter's rebrand to "X" could face legal challenges, as both Facebook (Meta) and Microsoft hold trademarks for the letter "X" related to social media and gaming. Experts believe the decision to change the name could lead to trademark disputes and potential legal consequences.
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Threads Passes 30M Sign-ups in Less than 24 Hours
TECH CRUNCH - Meta's new Twitter clone, Threads, has surpassed 30M sign-ups within a day of its launch, according to Mark Zuckerberg. The app, deeply integrated with Instagram, attracted 2M sign-ups in its first 2 hours. However, Threads lacks Twitter's pure chronological feed, relying on algorithms instead.
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Meta Loses as Top EU Court Backs Antitrust Regulators Over Privacy Breach Checks
REUTERS - Meta has lost a legal battle against a German data curb order. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) upheld the power of the German antitrust watchdog to investigate privacy breaches, granting antitrust authorities more flexibility in scrutinizing Big Tech. The case focused on the German cartel office's 2019 order to Meta, instructing them to cease collecting user data without consent. Meta challenged the order, leading to the CJEU ruling.
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Threads: Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Twitter-killer Is Here
LIVE MINT - Meta is gearing up to launch Threads, a Twitter competitor, on Jul 6. Threads aims to provide users with an alternative social networking and discussion platform, addressing concerns raised about Twitter's limitations and controversies. The app combines elements from Instagram and Twitter, appealing to existing Instagram users and those seeking a different social media experience.
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Meta to Pull News From Facebook and Instagram in Canada
TECH CRUNCH - Meta announced that it will end access to news content on its platforms in Canada in response to the Online News Act. The legislation requires internet giants to negotiate compensation deals with news publishers. Meta had previously threatened to block news sharing unless amendments were made to the bill. The move comes after the bill was approved by Canada's Senate and will become law soon.
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Meta Adds Text-Based 'World Chat' in Horizon Worlds VR Experience
SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY - Meta has unveiled "World Chat" in Horizon Worlds, offering a text-based thread for users to communicate within the VR space. This addition complements the existing voice chat feature and aims to foster connections among users. To address potential abuse, Meta has implemented safety measures, including scanning and removing inappropriate messages and giving users control over their communication settings.
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Meta Unveils Plans for AI Innovations in Consumer Products
TECH CRUNCH - Meta revealed its advancements in generative AI technologies for consumer products such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger. The company showcased AI chatbots, AI stickers, and photo editing tools for Instagram Stories. Additionally, Meta discussed internal projects like an AI productivity assistant and an experimental interface for interacting with AI agents. Meta also announced an upcoming internal AI hackathon focused on generative AI.
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Meta's Privacy Concession in Germany: User Choice Over Cross-Site Tracking
TECH CRUNCH - Meta has been compelled by the German Federal Cartel Office (FCO) to introduce an account center that allows users of its social networking services to decide whether their data is combined across platforms or not. However, the FCO has expressed dissatisfaction with the account center, emphasizing that users' decision is not entirely free. The account center rollout will begin globally, driven by the German authority's influence.
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Meta Announces New AI Models That Understand 4K Languages, Produce Speech in ~1K
ARAB NEWS - Meta has developed new AI models capable of recognizing ~4K spoken languages and generating speech in ~1.1K languages. The project, known as Massively Multilingual Speech (MMS), aims to preserve languages worldwide and foster global connectivity. Meta has open-sourced MMS through GitHub to support further research in the field.
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Meta Agrees to Sell Giphy for $53M on Regulator's Order
WALL STREET JOURNAL - Shutterstock announced a deal to acquire Giphy from Meta Platforms for $53M in net cash, putting an end to a long legal battle that resulted in the sale of the animated images company. The deal is expected to close in June, and Shutterstock plans to fund it using cash on hand and its revolving credit facility. Meta will enter into an API agreement to maintain access to Giphy's content.
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Meta Slapped With Record $1.3B EU Fine Over Data Privacy
CNN - Meta has been fined $1.3B by EU regulators for violating privacy laws by transferring user data to US servers. The fine is the largest ever under GDPR. Meta plans to appeal.
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Meta Bracing for Another Round of Layoffs: 6K Employees at Risk
NEWSROOM POST - Meta is preparing for another round of layoffs, set to begin next week. The company had announced its retrenchment plans earlier, and ~6K employees across various platforms are expected to be affected. Nick Clegg, Meta's President of global affairs, acknowledged the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding the situation and expressed his inability to provide comfort or solace.
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Meta Paid Verification Arrives for UK Users
SILICON - Meta Platform has launched Meta Verified, a paid verification service for Facebook and Instagram users in the UK. Priced at £9.99 per month for each service, subscribers can obtain a blue tick by providing a government ID and enabling two-factor verification. Meta claims it provides access to customer support and exclusive features.
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Meta Spins out Customer Service Startup Kustomer Amid 'Year of Efficiency'
CNBC - Meta has spun out its acquisition, Kustomer, as an independent company. Kustomer received an additional $60M investment from its original investors and now has a valuation of $250M. Meta's acquisition aimed to enhance customer interactions for advertisers, but the company has faced difficulties in the advertising market and is undergoing layoffs.
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