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Preorders of the Oculus Quest 2 were more than five times that of the first Quest, signaling to both Oculus and developers alike that VR was at the crest of a new wave of adoption. Though plenty of attention was given to what this meant for virtual reality, the same could not be said for augmented reality. Thanks to new information straight from Facebook HQ, however, that’s all set to change.
Image: Facebook Reality Labs
According to internal organizational data, Facebook has committed nearly a fifth of its global workforce, close to 10,000 people, to developing AR and VR devices. Building a complete AR and VR infrastructure for itself and its users would potentially remove Facebook’s dependency on Apple and Google, on whose devices many of its products run.
The Social Media Holy Grail
CEO Mark Zuckerberg noted that Facebook largely builds on top of existing platforms, at least for the time being. The throwing of such significant human resources behind VR development suggests Zuckerberg isn’t speaking lightly when he declares:
“I think it really makes sense for [Facebook] to invest deeply to help shape what I think is going to be the next major computing platform, this combination of augmented and virtual reality, to make sure that it develops in this way that is fundamentally about people being present with each other and coming together.” – Mark Zuckerberg, March 2021
Image: Facebook Reality Labs
When Facebook does indeed launch the next evolution of its brand, one that fully immerses the user in AR opportunity, it will fundamentally rely on as much intimacy and interpersonal closeness as can be mustered. That’s what made Facebook (the site and app) so enormously successful, and that same approach will surely be applied to AR. Could this new platform utilize Facebook’s highly anticipated 3D glasses? It certainly seems likely.
“The holy grail of social experiences is the ability to feel like you’re present with another person.” – Mark Zuckerberg, March 2021
In-Person Porn
Image: The Harlot’s House: Black Friday in Europe Part 2 by VR Bangers
As the iPod put music in everyone’s pockets, so too should a truly game-changing AR device thrust millions upon millions into Augmented Reality space. And, as so many millions watch porn on their phones, so too will AR become commonplace in porn viewing. Whether it’s placing a live performer in your living space to watch her move in photorealistic 3D or transporting yourself via an AR avatar to some mysterious palace of sin to watch true debauchery unfold in your (virtual) presence, that’s another level of porno intimacy many fans are already aching for.
Facebook may not like supporting adult content or its creators, but its services and products certainly do. Facebook may not be aiming to help push the porn industry to its next and most impressive level, but it almost certainly will.
The AR version of Minecraft is shutting down, so not all signs are positive when a brand as big as that can’t make money.
All signs point to AR taking off like a rocket in the coming years!
Can’t wait!