Mark Zuckerberg: Future is virtual reality headset technology

Virtual reality is the future of communicating and socialising, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg has said.

Mark Zuckerberg says he will record his daughters life on video which can be viewed in virtual reality. Picture: AP

The billionaire founder of the social network called headset-based technology “the next platform”, following on from traditional social media websites such as Facebook, during a surprise appearance at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

“At Facebook we think about giving people richer tools,” he said.

“Going back ten years most of what we shared was text, and then it was photos. And now we’re entering a world where that’s video. But pretty soon we’re going to live in a world where everyone has the power to share and experience whole scenes as if you’re right there in person.”

Facebook, which bought virtual reality firm Oculus for two billion US dollars in 2014, has since partnered Samsung to create the Gear VR headset, which can be bought for less than £100 and works by slotting a Samsung Galaxy smartphone into it to use as a screen.

“VR is the next platform, where anyone can create and experience anything they want,” Mr Zuckerberg 
added.

“Right now, VR is mostly used for games and entertainment, but that’s quickly evolving, and one day you’re going to be able to put on a headset and that’s going to change the way that you live, work and communicate.

“So imagine being able to sit in front of a campfire and hang out with your friends any time that you want, or watch a movie in a private theatre with your friends any time you want. Imagine holding a group meeting or event anywhere that you want.

“All these things are going to be possible, and that’s why Facebook is investing so much early on in virtual reality, so we can help to deliver these kind of social experiences.”

Mr Zuckerberg also explained that while his parents logged him taking his first steps as a child by writing it in a baby book, and his siblings have used photos and video, he wants to capture his daughter’s using 360-degree video, which can then be viewed in virtual reality.