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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NZ post a massive 362-6 against SA in CT semifinal
Lahore, Mar 5 (PTI): Rachin Ravindra and Kane Williamson hit fluent centuries to propel New Zealand to a mammoth 362 for six against South Africa in the second semifinal of the Champions Trophy here on Wednesday.
Ravindra produced a 101-ball 108-run knock that was laced with 13 fours and a six, while Williamson smashed 102 off 94 balls with 10 fours and two maximums after skipper Mitchell Santner decided to bat.
Daryl Mitchell (49) and Glenn Phillips (49 not out) provided the fireworks in the slog overs.
For SA, Lungi Ngidi (3/72), Kagiso Rabada (2/70) and Wiaan Mulder (1/48) were among wickets.
Brief Score:
New Zealand: 362 for 6 in 50 overs (Rachin Ravindra 108, Kane Williamson 102; Lungi Ngidi 3/72).
