Facebook rebrands as 'Meta' to emphasise metaverse vision
Oakland (US), Oct 28: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company is rebranding itself as Meta in an effort to encompass its virtual-reality vision for the future, what Zuckerberg calls the metaverse.
Sceptics point out that it also appears to be an attempt to change the subject from the Facebook Papers, a leaked document trove that has revealed the ways Facebook ignored internal reports and warnings of the harms its social network created or magnified across the world.
Zuckerberg says he expects the metaverse to reach a billion people within the next decade. The metaverse, he says, will be a place people will be able to interact, work and create products and content in what he hopes will be a new ecosystem that creates millions of jobs for creators.
The announcement comes amid an existential crisis for Facebook. It faces legislative and regulatory scrutiny in many parts of the world following revelations in the Facebook Papers.
In explaining the rebrand, Zuckerberg said the name Facebook just doesn't encompass everything we do any more. In addition to its primary social network, that now includes Instagram, Messenger, its Quest VR headset, its Horizon VR platform and more.
Today we are seen as a social media company, Zuckerberg said. But in our DNA we are a company that builds technology to connect people.
Metaverse, he said, is the new way. Zuckerberg, who is a fan of classics, explained that the word meta comes from the Greek word beyond.
Announcing @Meta — the Facebook company’s new name. Meta is helping to build the metaverse, a place where we’ll play and connect in 3D. Welcome to the next chapter of social connection. pic.twitter.com/ywSJPLsCoD
— Facebook (@Facebook) October 28, 2021
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No differences of opinion in LDF over PM SHRI, new labour codes: Kerala CM
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday rejected speculation that there were differences of opinion within the LDF over the PM SHRI and new labour code issues.
Vijayan was responding to reporters' queries whether the signing of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) memorandum of understanding (MoU) and preparation of the draft regulations in connection with the new labour codes would create differences within the front as the CPI was opposed to these initiatives.
The opposition of the CPI, a key ally of the CPI(M), was the reason behind the Kerala government decision to put on hold the implementation of the PM SHRI scheme after signing of the MoU.
Responding to the query, the CM said there was no lack of unity in the LDF and all the members of the front have the same stand on these schemes.
He said that the Left front was unitedly opposed to the new educational policy and the new labour codes.
"There is no difference of opinion amongst us on these issues," the CM said.
The Marxist veteran further said that the Centre claims that the PM SHRI aims to improve schools. But, the Left government in Kerala has renovated over 2,000 schools in the state without any help from the Centre, he claimed.
"Therefore, schools in Kerala will not suffer if PM SHRI is not implemented in the state. However, if we do not implement it, various funds for the state, which it was eligible to receive, will be denied by the central government," Vijayan said.
