Gadget Lab Podcast: Let’s All Go To Facebook to Watch the Coldplay Concert

Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED

Photo: Jim Merithew/WIRED

Mat and Mike are back to talk about the HTC One, MS Office’s arrival on the iPad, and how Oculus VR fits into the Facebookiverse. They see Facebook’s acquisition of the virtual reality company as a big step toward establishing Facebook as a gaming platform, but the social implications are still unclear. Maybe it’ll just wind up being like the second coming of Second Life? Who knows.

Download the show from Pocket Casts or subscribe in iTunes.

Send us feedback on our personal Twitter feeds (Mat Honan is @mat and Michael Calore is @snackfight) or to the main hotline at @GadgetLab. Until next week!


    



This Week On The TC Gadgets Podcast: Facebook Oculus, HTC One, And Microsoft’s Glass Clone

Are you ready for the future?

Facebook certainly is, considering the social giant just bought Oculus VR, which makes virtual reality gaming headsets, for a cool $2 billion. And Microsoft is joining in on the fun, with reports indicating that the company has purchased wearable computing technology similar to Google’s Glass. Read More

Gaming head Michael Abrash leaves Valve for Oculus VR

If you thought you’d seen the strangest bits and pieces of the Oculus VR saga this week, you’d be wrong. Just this morning it was announced by none other than … Continue reading

Facebook On Oculus Rift Might Look Like This


Facebook, the social network giant, has gone under the spotlight earlier this week for the simple fact that Mark Zuckerberg and company have decided to part with a cool $2 billion to pick up Oculus VR. Well, what does Facebook intend to do with this company as well as the VR headset that comes under their purview now? Facebook did promise that they will not rebrand Oculus with their logo and interface, although one question that might have gone through many peoples’ minds would be to wonder just how Facebook looks like in virtual reality. Good thing you do not need to wait for all eternity in order to find out.

(more…)

  • Follow: Computers, , ,
  • Facebook On Oculus Rift Might Look Like This original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Social Media Experiment Freaks People out, Exposes Lack of Privacy

    When posting online, how much personal information is too much? A lot of people post statuses, pictures, and videos on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram that often reveal more than they intend to.

    For example, someone could simply be posting a selfie shot in their garden, but other people (like would-be stalkers, for example) might be able to identify where they live from that photo alone.

    Jack Vale Social Media Experiment 620x310magnify

    This is the premise that Jack Vale worked with in his social media experiment. Jack began by searching Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter profiles of people within his current location. He noted down personal information that these users have posted and then approached them in real-life. He then proceeded to reveal the personal (and often, private) information that he was able to gather, which lead to more than a few shocked reactions.

    While Jack’s video is mildly humorous, it’s worth noting that internet privacy and security isn’t something that should be ignored these days. According to Trend Micro, many people have already had their identities, bank information, and money stolen through social media scams and phishing emails, so remember to be vigilant so you won’t become a victim.

    If you haven’t already, then maybe it’s time to tweak your accounts’ privacy settings before it’s too late.

    [via Laughing Squid]

    Connectivity Lab From Facebook To Bring Internet To The Outskirts

    Connectivity Lab From Facebook To Bring Internet To The OutskirtsFacebook has been in the news over the course of this week, mainly for picking up Oculus VR for a cool $2 billion. Well, it seems that the company intends to expand on their current 1 billion plus active mobile users figure, Facebook has announced the Connectivity Lab. Just what is the Connectivity Lab all about?

    (more…)

  • Follow: General, ,
  • Connectivity Lab From Facebook To Bring Internet To The Outskirts original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Kickstarter Project Adds Stretch Goal Of Buying Oculus VR From Facebook

    Kickstarter Project Adds Stretch Goal Of Buying Oculus VR From FacebookA few days ago, Facebook announced that they would be acquiring Oculus VR. This is actually pretty big news as it would no doubt help to advance virtual reality technology, not to mention give Oculus VR the resources to compete against the likes of Sony who have recently announced their own VR plans.

    However not everyone was too thrilled about Facebook’s acquisition, such as Minecraft’s creator, Markus “Notch” Persson, who publicly announced the cancellation of the game for the Oculus Rift. Notch is not alone in his pleasure and developers Twinbeard has also expressed their disapproval of the acquisition. (more…)

  • Follow: Gaming, , , ,
  • Kickstarter Project Adds Stretch Goal Of Buying Oculus VR From Facebook original content from Ubergizmo.

        



    Facebook working on drones for Internet.org mission

    Earlier this month, word surfaced that Facebook would be acquiring Titan Aerospace, maker of drones, to help bring Internet access to under-connected areas around the world. Today, Mark Zuckerberg announced … Continue reading

    Facebook's Drone-and-Laser Plan to Give Internet to Everyone

    In its quest to get the whole world online, Facebook’s Internet.org project has included partnerships with companies like Samsung and Nokia, as well as with NASA. Now it seems that rumors about Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook drone dreams are true, and the social network giant is planning on internet-delivering drones, satellites, and even lasers. Here’s our first look at how that might take shape.

    Read more…


        



    Facebook Will Deliver Internet Via Drones With “Connectivity Lab” Project Powered By Acqhires From Ascenta

    Facebook plans to bring Internet to the third-world via drones, satellites, lasers, and more. Today Mark Zuckerberg unveiled Facebook’s Connectivity Lab which will work on the Internet.org project. It’s powered by talent acqhired from solar-powered drone maker Ascenta as well as poached from NASA. Read More