Oct
Why did Facebook change its name to Meta?
The social media giant Facebook announced a major rebranding decision. Hereafter, the corporate name of Facebook will be Meta. However, the change is only for the parent company, and individual platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will remain the same in the name. This article attempts to land on the reasons behind the name Meta and all about Metaverse.
The whole attempt of rebranding was built, just on the inability to convey what the old brand was looking forward to. Meta, the new name of Facebook corporate plans to build a “metaverse” – a novel online world where people can get connected for the game, work, and communication in a virtual environment, using VR headsets. The word “Meta” is Greek in origin and represents “beyond”, which alludes to the “Metaverse”, an online virtual oasis that the CEO, Zuckerberg wants to build.
What is Metaverse?
Metaverse company looks to anchor work and identity on what Facebook is trying to build towards and as a first move, the company has just announced the hiring of 10,000 people in Europe to develop the “metaverse”, a concept which is being talked up by some as the future of the internet.
In the metaverse, rather than being on the computer, users will make use of a headset to access a virtual world connecting all types of digital environments. Compared to the current VR all are known to use for gaming, this new virtual world could be used for practically anything from work, play, concerts, cinema trips to hanging out.
Why Metaverse?
With Metaverse, Facebook broadens its reach beyond social media into areas like virtual reality (VR). The move is counted to be an aftermath of negative stories about Facebook, based on documents leaked by Frances Haugen who has accused the company of putting “profits over safety”.
Facebook also made a heavy investment in virtual reality through its Oculus headsets. The new move supports their budding VR apps for social hangouts and workplaces, with better interaction.
Finally, the critics are here as well on the rebranding!
Though Facebook detailed the transition of corporate name to Meta, few arguments revolve here and there. Major critics are like-
The rebranding is a mere attempt to divert the public from negative stories around the company, and Meta may get mostly ignored in the market.
A non-existing “Metaverse” sounds odd, as it has got nothing about present Facebook.
All major rebranding attempts were a failure. Google is still Google, though it was renamed Alphabet in 2015.
However, the social giant’s aspirations and vision to encase the passion of transforming human experience may overcome the critics, and might even help the company to overcome all negativity the company is being dragged into. And, if succeeding in the realization of the anticipated focus, definitely Metaverse will excite and take everyone to next level!