We have a very important announcement to make:
Facebook is taking over the universe.
Ha! Just kidding. That’s not an announcement – you already knew that.
But this week’s Facebook Developers Conference (a.k.a. F8 2016) only provided further proof that everyone’s favorite social media hub is officially infiltrating all aspects of human life. How, exactly? Well…
- They’re attempting to connect the world. Like, the whole entire world. How? By deploying giant Internet-dispensing drones, duh.
- They’re ensuring that you need never leave your house. Love/hate the selfie stick? Well, you’re really going to love/hate the VR selfie stick, which invites users to act like tourists without making those pesky travel plans. Facebook’s latest foray into virtual reality begs the question: Why buy a plane ticket when you could buy an Oculus Rift headset and tour London or France in your underpants?
- They’re rescuing the bot from social exile. Most of us hear the word “bot” and think one of three things: “nerdy,” “spammy,” or “STAR WARS! Right? Oh, sorry, that’s a droid.” Bottom line? Bots are decidedly uncool and undervalued. Facebook hopes to change that with the Bot Engine, which boasts a fancy new framework. Assuming you’d rather talk to a robot than your friends, you’ll be delighted to hear that the Bot Engine has been incorporated into the Messenger app – although word has it, execution thus far is underwhelming.
Basic takeaways? Virtual reality, robots, and world domination. So, basically, the future of Facebook is the plot of most sci-fi movies. Put on your cyber seatbelts!
Image by Esopebot is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.