Facebook's Oculus Vs Google Glass: The Telecommunications War Begins
Facebook's Oculus versus Google's Glass and virtual reality versus the real world -- this is perhaps a war between two growing telecommunications giants.
Facebook this week purchased Oculus, the Virtual Reality (VR) company, along with its Oculus Rift goggles, for approximately $2 billion: $400 million in cash, and the rest in Facebook stock. The purchase of Oculus is perhaps a phenomenon because the company only unveiled its VR component in 2012 via Kickstarter.
Oculus VR is the maker of virtual reality hardware; one can still buy the Oculus Rift, but they are sold as software development kits, so you need to have some kind of technical know-how to operate it, the NBC News reported. The Oculus Rift is one of the most advanced VR headsets on the market, and perhaps VR technology is getting a boost. Other companies who have similar VR systems have recently had an increased interest, Bloomberg mobile reported.
The Oculus Rift headset uses displays set over the eyes, and motion-tracking technology to immerse users in a 3D computer-generated environment. In other words, one can really kick butt in a game of Doom. Others have spied similar VR opportunities. Sony recently unveiled a prototype VR headset for its PlayStation 4 game console, and Microsoft is rumored to be developing one for its Xbox console, The Economist reported.
Meanwhile, Google is concentrating on spending money on futuristic projects such as, its secretive Google X lab. And perhaps it wants Glass to be more mass produced; Google stated this week that Luxottica, a seller of high-end eye wear, would help to make them look nicer. Google's vision of the future is to augment the real world seen through its Glass with a visual feed from its search engine and other services, The Economist reported.
Forbes presented an alternative perspective for Facebook's Virtual Reality (VR), and Google's augmented reality. With Facebook's acquisition of Oculus, it can advance its own VR capabilities; in other words, Facebook virtually allows you to communicate and travel with friends, family, and make new friends from thousands of miles away or from next door. With Oculus, it will allow us to do things we cannot by making it seem more real.
On the other hand, Google wants us to do things we cannot by expanding our capabilities. Reality for Google has been great; it has been in line with everything since its inception: searching as fast as you can effectively and efficiently, with little interruption to your life.
Google has made reality a little easier, the Oculus Rift could present a virtual world where you do not have to take a plane, or boat in order to visit another country.
Facebook's CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that immersing gaming with Oculus will be the first experience. With this new communication platform they could connect teachers with students, put viewers in the TV, and help doctors interact with patients.
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