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From your link, the FTC says: > "Meta already owns a best-selling virtual reality fitness app, and it had the capabilities to compete even more closely with Wi

by ece 4y ago

From your link, the FTC says: > "Meta already owns a best-selling virtual reality fitness app, and it had the capabilities to compete even more closely with Within’s popular Supernatural app. But Meta chose to buy market position instead of earning it on the merits." I don't buy that VR is so young, we're a couple generations in now on multiple platforms. There are still new entrants in the space, which is good, and they would be negatively impacted if there were less established independent developers. Facebook had a head start, and they're trying their best to lock up the market before Apple/others enter it.

danielmarkbruce 4y ago
Best selling doesn't mean well selling. Someone is always the best selling in a market. It doesn't mean the market is anywhere at all. VR might not even exist in 10 years. It's been hyped for 8-9 years now and user growth has been anaemic. Most headsets are shelfware. Here is an article to read: https://mixed-news.com/en/quest-2-why-meta-isnt-talking-about-sales-numbers/ https://mixed-news.com/en/quest-2-why-meta-isnt-talking-abou... This isn't speculative nonsense - the usage problem is know across the industry. Single digit millions of users is either early in the market or late... Either way no interference from a clueless regulator is required.
- ece 4y ago
  The Within deal is above $400 million. Doesn't seem like shelfware money. The end of the article seems pretty consistent with FTC's view: Meta can compete with better hardware and software on it's own.
  - danielmarkbruce 4y ago
    They do try to build better hardware and software. At this point they are throwing everything they have at it. The FTC are treating them as though it's a big, profitable, won market where Meta isn't playing fair. In reality it's a small, money losing, no winner market where Meta is trying to create something.
    - ece 4y ago
      This is growth at all costs. Big companies buying up established independent developers to add to their services while consumers have less choice. AB/MS, Figma/Adobe, it needs to stop.
      - danielmarkbruce 4y ago
        The VR market isn't in that phase. Adobe is in a big market with a strong position, makes a lot of money. That market has been around for decades. VR is default dead right now.

by ece 4y ago

danielmarkbruce 4y ago

Best selling doesn't mean well selling. Someone is always the best selling in a market. It doesn't mean the market is anywhere at all. VR might not even exist in 10 years. It's been hyped for 8-9 years now and user growth has been anaemic. Most headsets are shelfware. Here is an article to read: https://mixed-news.com/en/quest-2-why-meta-isnt-talking-about-sales-numbers/ https://mixed-news.com/en/quest-2-why-meta-isnt-talking-abou... This isn't speculative nonsense - the usage problem is know across the industry. Single digit millions of users is either early in the market or late... Either way no interference from a clueless regulator is required.

ece 4y ago
The Within deal is above $400 million. Doesn't seem like shelfware money. The end of the article seems pretty consistent with FTC's view: Meta can compete with better hardware and software on it's own.
- danielmarkbruce 4y ago
  They do try to build better hardware and software. At this point they are throwing everything they have at it. The FTC are treating them as though it's a big, profitable, won market where Meta isn't playing fair. In reality it's a small, money losing, no winner market where Meta is trying to create something.
  - ece 4y ago
    This is growth at all costs. Big companies buying up established independent developers to add to their services while consumers have less choice. AB/MS, Figma/Adobe, it needs to stop.
    - danielmarkbruce 4y ago
      The VR market isn't in that phase. Adobe is in a big market with a strong position, makes a lot of money. That market has been around for decades. VR is default dead right now.