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Meta’s Project Cambria could release as soon as September

A new detailed report from The Information suggests that Meta is planning to release a total of four VR (virtual reality) headsets before 2024 to solidify CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of a united virtual world.

The report comes after The Information got access to an internal Meta roadmap that mentions the first of the four headsets releasing as soon as September this year. The first headset is reportedly codenamed Project Cambria, and will focus on remote work instead of gaming.

“Later this year we’ll release a higher-end headset [than the Oculus Quest 2], codenamed Project Cambria, which will be more focused on work use cases and eventually replacing your laptop or work setup,” said Zuckerberg during Meta’s latest earnings call.

Zuckerberg described the Cambria as a “premium device” and claims it features “improved ergonomics and full-colour passthrough mixed reality.” According to The Information, the headset will feature a very high-resolution screen that will make it easy for users to read text on virtual documents.

Cambria reportedly uses outward-facing cameras to provide a view of the user’s exact surroundings, which means that headset will be more of a mixed-reality headset, in contrast to a full-blown virtual reality headset. The report suggests that Project Cambria will retail for $799 (roughly $1,205) or higher.

Following Project Cambria, Meta will release a new low-end version of its Quest headset in 2023, followed by new refreshed versions of both Project Cambria and Quest in 2024.

While not much else was revealed, Zuckerberg reassured eager VR users during Meta’s earnings call that the company will reveal more information about the headsets “in the months ahead.”

Source: The Information

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Mobile Syrup

Facebook to get rid of podcasts on June 3rd

Almost a year after introducing podcasts on Facebook, the social network’s parent company Meta has announced that it is withdrawing from the podcast business, as reported by Bloomberg.

According to the report, creators won’t be able to add new podcasts to the platform starting this week, and subsequently, on June 3rd, all podcasts will be removed from the social media website.

The platform’s audio hub and Soundbites will also be shut down in the coming week, Live Audio Rooms would be integrated with Facebook Live.

“We’re constantly evaluating the features we offer so we can focus on the most meaningful experiences,” said a Meta spokesperson in a statement given to Bloomberg. Facebook’s decision to go audio heavy came during the Clubhouse mania, which has since died down.

It’s evident that Facebook and its parent company Meta want to focus more of their attention on the Metaverse and the products surrounding it.

In a provided note, Meta said that it will not inform users about the removal of podcasts, and will leave it up to the creators to alert their following.

Source: Bloomberg

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Mobile Syrup

Meta announces new Project Cambria VR headset has a focus on work

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has officially revealed new details regarding its upcoming virtual reality (VR) headset. The company is tentatively calling the headset Project Cambria and is positioning it to focus on work-related use cases.

During Meta’s latest earnings call, Zuckerberg touched on Project Cambria. However, in a Facebook post, the CEO went into more detail on what’s in store for the headset.

“Later this year we’ll release a higher-end headset [than the Oculus Quest 2], codenamed Project Cambria, which will be more focused on work use cases and eventually replacing your laptop or work setup,” said Zuckerberg during the call.

Zuckerberg described the Cambria as a “premium device” and claims it features “improved ergonomics and full-colour passthrough mixed reality.” Meta also appears to be developing new features for the headset, including eye tracking and face tracking. Zuckerberg claims that your avatar can “make eye contact and facial expressions” when using Project Cambria.

Recently uncovered Renders of Project Cambria courtesy of tipster Brad Lynch reveal that Meta’s upcoming headset features a more minimalist design aesthetic. When compared it to Meta’s Oculus Quest 2, Cambria looks more lightweight, and the head strap running across the middle of the headset appears to be removed. Finally, Meta may also be leaning towards a darker colour pallet with the overall design.

Project Cambria will likely be a cornerstone of Meta’s metaverse ambitions. While Zuckerberg refrains from revealing more details, he assures eager VR users that the company will reveal more information about the headset “in the months ahead.” An exact release window for Project Cambria remains unknown.

Image credit: @SadlyItsBradley

Via: IGN

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Mobile Syrup

Meta reveals it spent $2.96 billion on VR Reality labs division last quarter

During its latest earnings call, Meta revealed that its Reality Labs division is losing close to $3 billion USD (roughly 3.8 billion CAD) each quarter. The division is in charge of producing the company’s virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) hardware and software. However, Reality Labs is seemingly only pulling in roughly $650 million USD (about $832 million CAD) in revenue.

The heavy investment in VR/AR and the metaverse is apparent when comparing that staggering number to the first quarter of 2021. Meta Reality Labs lost $1.8 billion USD (approximately $2.3 billion CAD) while only pulling in $534 million USD (roughly 683 million CAD) in revenue, according to 2021’s full-year results.

Reality Labs employs roughly 17,000 staff members and paints a picture of where some of that money goes each quarter.

However, despite the substantial loss, Meta’s overall revenue is only rising. Over the three-month period ending March 31st, 2022, Meta reports revenue of $27 billion USD (about $34 billion CAD). This amount is said to be made largely due in part to the “Facebook family of apps.” This helped drive a total of $26 billion (roughly $34 billion CAD) in revenue.

News of Meta’s losses also come when CEO Mark Zuckerberg divulged more details on its upcoming VR headset codenamed Project Cambria. Said to be an upgraded headset to the Quest 2, Project Cambria has a focus on work. Zuckerberg claims the headset has eye-tracking and facial tracking designed for digital avatars. The headset is expected to release later this year.

Hardware innovations are yet another driving force in a loss. However, if Meta’s investment in the metaverse and VR pays off, any accumulated losses could balance out down the road.

That said, Meta does still have several competitors in the VR space. Valve, Sony, and other VR headset manufacturers all provide digital experiences to users in some form or another. However, Meta’s Horizon Worlds platform and its provided experiences will ultimately be what sets the company apart.

Image credit: Meta

Via: GameDeveloper

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Mobile Syrup

Instagram is now testing a pinned post feature

Instagram is testing a new feature that lets users pin posts to their profiles. A pinned post will show above their photo grid, according to TechCrunch. 

The feature is only available for select users while the company tests it out. These users will see a “Pin to your profile” option from the three-dot menu next to posts.

“We’re testing a new feature that lets people feature posts on their profile,” a spokesperson from Meta told TechCrunch in an email.

All users have the option to pin Stories to their profiles, but posting posts can expand Instagram’s customizability. Like Twitter, you’ll be able to highlight a post for a longer period, especially if you’re frequently adding new posts to your profile.

You can always highlight a post in your Story and then pin that with your Story pins.

Source: TechCrunch

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Mobile Syrup

Meta exec accused of pressuring paper to kill reporting about Activision CEO

Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg used her power to bury two stories about then-boyfriend Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard CEO, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Sandberg, who dated Kotick from 2016 to 2019, is accused of pressuring the digital edition of U.K. tabloid The Daily Mail in both 2016 and 2019 to stop reporting on a restraining order filed against him by an ex-girlfriend. The WSJ reports that Kotick had said behind the scenes that Sandberg threatened The Daily Mail, stating that publishing this report could damage the outlet’s relationship with Facebook.

Speaking to The WSJ, Kotick denied that he said this, while Meta told the publication that Sandberg “never threatened the MailOnline’s business relationship with Facebook in order to influence an editorial decision.”

In any event, The Daily Mail story did not run either in 2016 or 2019, and Facebook now says it’s investigating whether Sandberg’s actions violated company policy. In 2012, Sandberg was the first woman to join Facebook’s board, and she’s since become renowned for her advocacy for women’s rights in the workplace. It’s for this reason — so as to not tarnish this reputation — that Sandberg and Kotick reportedly wanted to kill the Daily Mail piece.

It should also be noted that Sandberg’s leadership role at Facebook has put her at the front of major controversies surrounding the platform’s handling of privacy and fake news, especially following the 2016 U.S. Presidental Election.

Kotick, meanwhile, has had the opposite reputation of Sandberg when it comes to women. Last summer, the state of California filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging that the company fostered a “frat boy” culture in which employees, particularly women, faced sexual harassment and discrimination.

Months later, The WSJ reported that Kotick not only knew about these incidents but actively worked to cover some of them up. He is even said to have sent a voicemail to an assistant threatening to kill her if she didn’t stay quiet. Many in the gaming industry, including current and former Activision Blizzard employees, have since called for Kotick to step down.

Kotick has denied the specific allegations made against him but claimed he’s committed to staying at the company to improve its work culture. While he’s expected to leave once Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finalized, a recent report indicates that Microsoft hasn’t actually discussed his future.

It remains to be seen what, if anything, will happen with both Sandberg and Kotick at their respective companies.

Image credit: Flickr — Dan Farber

Source: The Wall Street Journal

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Mobile Syrup

Renders of Project Cambria surface, revealing what Meta’s new headset may look like

Meta announced its codenamed Project Cambria headset last year and brand new renders finally give us a glimpse of what it may look like. The company has been fairly quiet on what Project Cambria will bring to the table. Though, the renders may give us a taste of its design elements.

These renders were put together by the notable tipster and content creator Brad Lynch. In a tweet, Lynch states that the unofficial renders have been compiled using information from the supply chain. Lynch also claims sources who’ve tried Meta’s Project Cambria say that the renders represent the final PVT model.

Based on the leaked renders, Project Cambria has a more minimalist design aesthetic we compare it to Oculus Quest 2. It’s certainly not reinventing the wheel and keeps many of the same design philosophies from Meta’s tentpole virtual reality (VR) headset. Though, it does look more lightweight. The strap that runs over the user’s head on the Oculus Quest 2 is no longer. Additionally, if Project Cambria maintains its darker colour, that may speak to those not too fond of the matte white of Oculus Quest 2.

Beyond basic design aspects, there’s still a lot to speculate about when it comes to Project Cambria. While we do see a forward-facing camera for mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR), specs are a mystery. It’s safe to assume that Meta’s Project Cambria will be more powerful than Oculus Quest 2. Though, how the company will achieve that is still anyone’s guess.

While it’s always worth taking unofficial renders with a grain of salt, Lynch is fairly confident in them. In a follow-up tweet, he states that he’s “250%” certain these renders are accurate.

Meta’s focus on the metaverse will require hardware to help support it. That’s where headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 and Project Cambria come in. Although Meta has been a prime supporter of VR technologies, it still lacks in providing tools to support AR and thus MR. Project Cambria may fill that void.

Currently, there’s no firm launch day for Project Cambria from Meta. Though, the company continues to eye a 2022 release.

Source: Brad Lynch Via: TechRadar

Image credit: Brad Lynch

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Mobile Syrup

WhatsApp now finally supports emoji reactions

WhatsApp emoji reactions are finally here. The Meta-owned company has confirmed that emoji reactions are available on iOS and Android.

One common request from WhatsApp users has been emoji reactions. Previously, to react to a message with an emoji, you’d need to send them as an individual message. Moving forward, WhatsApp allows users to select a message and react with one of six emojis.

WhatsApp limits the number of available emoji reactions currently. Of the selection, users can choose from thumbs up, heart, laughing face, teardrop face, shocked, and the praying hand symbol. However, Head of WhatsApp Will Cathcart confirms that “all emojis and skin tones” are coming.

Emoji reactions are commonplace on social media and messaging platforms. Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram all support emoji reactions. Competing platforms such as Slack and Discord also offer a full range of emoji reaction support.

In a series of follow-up tweets, Cathcart allows confirms that the company aims to increase the max file size to 2GB for sharing. This is a drastic step up from the current 100mb. Additionally, WhatsApp will soon support up to 32-person conference calls. Cathcart claims these calls can “start with just one tap.”

Concluding the thread, Cathcart discusses the importance of end-to-end encryption and how the company’s privacy security measures can help Communities. This new feature launches later this year.

Emoji reaction support is another step in WhatsApp having a level experience across all of Meta’s apps.

Image credit: WhatsApp

Source: @wcathcart Via: The Verge

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Mobile Syrup

Meta reportedly working on a virtual currency for its range of products

METAVERSE META FACEBOOK. Silhouette of smartphone with Facebook, Messenger, whatsApp, Instagram, Oculus apps and blurred META logo on background. Rebrand of Facebook. Stafford, UK, October 28, 2021

A new Financial Timesreport suggests that Meta might be looking into adding virtual tokens and cryptocurrencies to its range of apps and products in a bid to attract more users and reward creators.

The move, which is still in its early ‘planning phase’ comes as a result of Meta’s broader goal of popularizing the metaverse, with Meta employees nicknaming the virtual currency “Zuck Bucks” (Zuckerberg Bucks).

Early details of the move suggest that Meta-owned apps and platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram and the Meta Quest virtual reality platform would use the virtual token integration for in-app payments, sending money to friends and family, tipping your favourite creators like on Twitter and as an in-app or in-game currency in Quest titles.

According to the Financial Times, the token/currency won’t be based on the blockchain, and instead, will be owned by Meta.  “We have no updates to share today,” Said a Meta spokesperson in a statement given to the Financial Times. “We continuously consider new product innovations for people, businesses, and creators. As a company, we are focused on building for the metaverse and that includes what payments and financial services might look like.”

It’s worth noting that ‘Zuck Bucks’ are still in their early life where they’re nothing more than an idea. At least that’s what the report suggests. Meta might scrap plans for the virtual currency, but considering how adamant ‘Zuck’ is about pushing the metaverse down everyone’s throat, I would expect the virtual currency to be a reality sooner than later.

This comes soon after Zuckerberg announced that NFTs will arrive on Instagram ‘in the near term.’

Source: The Financial Times

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Mobile Syrup

Heritage Minister tables bill to make digital platforms pay news organizations

June 11, 2019, Brazil. In this photo illustration the Google News logo is displayed on a smartphone.

Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pablo Rodriguez, has introduced Bill C-18, also known as the Online News Act, to ensure digital platforms pay Canadian news outlets for using their work.

At a press conference Tuesday, Rodriguez said the way people access news has changed with preference going to digital platforms and social media. The shift results in advertising dollars moving away from the news industry and towards platforms that gatekeep the news.

Online ad revenues in 2020 totalled $9.7 billion, and Google and Facebook shared 80 percent of these revenues.

“The news sector in Canada is in crisis, and this contributes to the heightened public mistrust and the rise of harmful disinformation in our society,” Rodriguez said.

The bargaining process

If passed, the legislation will require platforms to make deals with news organizations to share content. These deals will include several criteria, including compensating organizations fairly, respecting journalistic independence, and investing in diverse news outlets.

Newspapers and magazines, public and private broadcasters, and non-Canadian news businesses that meet the criteria can take part in the bargaining process.

“This is fundamentally fairer for Canadian news media, which will be able to negotiate on more equal terms with the tech giants,” a press release following Rodriguez’s announcement states.

Bargaining between the platform and the news business is mandatory unless they meet a list of exemptions. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) will be the regulator.

News organizations will receive support if a deal can’t be reached.

The need for transparency

To make the process transparent, Rodriguez said platforms that meet the criteria for payment, all exemptions granted, and names of participating news outlets will be made public. An annual report outlining the value of the deals made will also be published.

Regulatory tools will include a code of conduct to ensure fairness and an undue preference provision. The latter will ensure platforms that hold power in the market don’t engage in practices that negatively impact policy, organizations, or how Canadians receive news.

Some Canadian publishers have welcomed the news with open arms. News Media Canada, which represents 500 print and digital titles across Canada, says the bill was needed.

“Trusted information is needed more today than ever before, and real news reported by real journalists costs real money,” Jamie Irving, chair of News Media Canada, said. “This legislation levels the playing field and gives Canada’s news publishers a fair shot and doesn’t require additional taxpayer funds.”

What Australia taught Canada

News access was a problem in the last country that introduced similar legislation. Early last year, Australia passed an act forcing large digital platforms, like Google and Facebook, to pay publishers for the news accessed on those platforms.

Soon afterwards, however, Facebook blocked Australians from accessing news on the platform. At the time, former Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault said the actions wouldn’t deter Ottawa from continuing its pledge to pass a similar law in Canada.

Rodriguez said the model is similar to what was seen in Australia and includes feedback from stakeholders.

Image credit: Shutterstock