Facebook is venturing into a new territory and is developing virtual reality (VR) versions of apps that people can deploy for not only creating, but also experiencing VR content.
On Tuesday, Feb. 17, at the CodeMedia conference held in Laguna Niguel, California, Facebook's Chris Cox (the Chief Product Officer) waxed eloquent on VR experiences calling it "pretty cool."
During the interview, Cox spilled the beans that Facebook was already working on applications specifically intended for VR as well.
In March 2014, Facebook acquired Oculus (which manufactures VR headsets) for $2 billion.
"This is really a new communication platform. By feeling truly present, you can share unbounded spaces and experiences with the people in your life. Imagine sharing not just moments with your friends online, but entire experiences and adventures," revealed Mark Zuckerberg at the time.
Facebook seems poised to do just that. Cox's revelation suggests that the social networking site's plans to generate futuristic experiences for its users seem to be on track.
Facebook is already aggressive on the VR front creating novel narrative experiences via the upcoming technology - as was revealed at this year's Sundance Film Festival
While Cox did not divulge what exactly Facebook had in mind for VR experiences, he suggested that the plans may revolve around users themselves producing the VR content - including celebrities.
The notion behind the VR apps is that a user can share their environment with others.
"You realize when you're in it, that you're looking at the future, and it's going to be awesome. When you're in Facebook, you're just sending around these bits of experience - a photo, a video, a thought," said Cox. However, with VR a user could be "sending a fuller picture."
Cox, however, did not disclose how the VR apps would function and how Facebook users would be able to create the content. No time window or deadline for the impending VR apps' release was also given by the product head who simply admitted that it will likely not materialize "for a while."
"We're probably a long way from everyone having these headsets," let on Cox.
