时间:2025-07-19 09:03:01 来源:网络整理编辑:焦點
Facebook wants you to "explore," "play," and "create" in its new virtual reality social platform &md
Facebook wants you to "explore," "play," and "create" in its new virtual reality social platform — but whatever you do there, don't call it Facebook.
The perpetually scandal-engulfed company made that preference clear this week when it rebranded its still-in-beta VR social platform, Facebook Horizon, to Horizon Worlds. It's almost like the Facebook name carries some unwanted baggage, and the company is conspicuously releasing products that lack it.
Facebook officially announced the switch in a Thursday blog post, writing that the new name is meant to "better reflect the diverse spaces Horizon creators have developed over the last year[.]"
For the unaware, the invite-only Horizon Worlds (née Facebook Horizon) is a virtual reality platform where users can hang out with friends (and presumably strangers) in digital versions of ramen shops, magical fields, and old-timey town squares. The product was first announced in 2019, and is accessible via Facebook-made VR headset like the Oculus Quest 2.
iRobot Roomba j7+ (7550) Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum—$399.99(List Price $599.00)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet—$142.49(List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case—$168.99(List Price $249.00)
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership—$99.95(List Price $159.95)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band)—$279.99(List Price $399.00)
Ari Grant, a product management director at Facebook Reality Labs, said in 2020 that the company hoped users would eventually use the virtual reality platform for things like "tutoring" or "worship."
Meaghan Fitzgerald, at the time head of product marketing at Facebook Reality Labs (now the product marketing director at Oculus, according to her LinkedIn), further explained the company's understanding of Facebook Horizon at the time.
"A great analogy for Horizon is Facebook Groups," she said back in 2020. Which, with everything we know about Facebook Groups, maybe wasn't the choicest comparison.
Facebook's relationship with the virtual reality community has been, up until this point, a rocky one. After Facebook acquired Oculus in 2014, Oculus founder (and vocal Donald Trump supporter) Palmer Lucky promised that use of the virtual reality headset would never require a Facebook account. In August of 2020, Facebook announced that in the near future that would no longer be the case.
Whether by design or not, the move from Facebook Horizon to Horizon Worlds could help obfuscate the virtual reality platform's connection to the Mark Zuckerberg-helmed behemoth the world just can't seem to quit.
SEE ALSO: Instagram and WhatsApp are tainted by Facebook's BS. Delete them.
In 2019, the Pew Research Center reported that most Americans didn't realize Facebook owned WhatsApp and Instagram (it does). Perhaps with enough name changes, Facebook can pull off the same trick in the world of social virtual reality.
In which case, people might actually be excited to use its products.
TopicsFacebookOculusVirtual Reality
'Rocket League' Championship Series Season 2 offers $250,000 prize pool2025-07-19 08:43
Well, even Taylor Swift has done the mannequin challenge now2025-07-19 08:17
India admits defect in newly issued Rs 500 notes, creates more confusion among citizens2025-07-19 08:16
Fidel Castro died and people won't stop talking about Liam Neeson2025-07-19 08:00
The Weeknd teases new music in Instagram post2025-07-19 07:37
25 gifts for people who love naps2025-07-19 07:27
The 'Gilmore Girls' revival is here, and so are the dramatic responses from fans2025-07-19 07:10
Hillary Clinton's campaign will now help Jill Stein's vote recount2025-07-19 07:10
Uber's $100M settlement over drivers as contractors may not be enough2025-07-19 06:53
Local authority instantly regrets asking public to name new gritter2025-07-19 06:45
Samsung Galaxy Note7 teardown reveals the magic behind the phone's iris scanner2025-07-19 08:59
Domino's Japan is training reindeer to deliver holiday pizza. Yes, really.2025-07-19 08:52
The 'Gilmore Girls' revival is here, and so are the dramatic responses from fans2025-07-19 08:41
Things stay 'Broken AF' in the 'Insecure' season finale2025-07-19 08:25
This company is hiring someone just to drink all day2025-07-19 08:22
'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' tickets are on sale Monday, November 282025-07-19 08:16
Emily's new maid on 'Gilmore Girls' is a familiar face2025-07-19 07:22
Domino's Japan is training reindeer to deliver holiday pizza. Yes, really.2025-07-19 07:18
Here's what 'Game of Thrones' actors get up to between takes2025-07-19 07:06
'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story' tickets are on sale Monday, November 282025-07-19 06:46