Thu. 06/17 – How About Some Ads On Your Oculus?

Jun 17, 2021 17m

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Facebook is bringing ads to Virtual Reality cause, why not, right? Stories are coming to the Xbox. Why is Google downsizing it’s healthcare team? Why are music artists flooding to Twitch? And is Facebook cornering the VR market like it cornered social media?

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Facebook to begin testing ads inside Oculus virtual reality headsets (CNBC)
Xbox’s June update adds speech-to-text chat feature (Engadget)
Podcasts start coming to Facebook next week (The Verge)
Amazon Appstore will reduce developer revenue cut from 30% to 20% and give 10% in Free AWS Credit (AFTV News)
EXCLUSIVE: Google is downsizing its health team and moving employees to Fitbit as part of a major reorganization (Insider)
Can Streaming Pay? Musicians Are Pinning Fresh Hopes on Twitch. (New York Times)
Is Facebook cornering the VR market? (Platformer)

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AI-Generated Summary

Facebook's Ad Push in Virtual Reality

Facebook announced it will test ads on Oculus VR headsets, starting with the game Blaston. The company asserts that ad targeting won't use local data, aligning ads with its existing principles seen on Facebook and Instagram. This pivot towards monetization in VR indicates a larger strategy to integrate advertising deeply within its ecosystem.

Microsoft's Xbox Updates

Microsoft's June update for Xbox introduces new accessibility features such as text and speech recognition, along with a 'stories' feature for the Xbox mobile app, allowing users to interact similarly to social media. Parents now have enhanced control over their children's online gaming interactions.

Facebook's Podcasting Initiative

Facebook is set to launch its podcast platform, allowing creators to link RSS feeds, generate automatic news posts, and even create short clips for enhanced engagement with audiences. This move coincides with Facebook's broader push into audio content, as it strives to become a hub for listeners and podcasters.

Amazon's Developer Revenue Changes

Amazon is instituting a revenue cut reduction for app developers, decreasing their share from 30% to 20% for those making under $1 million annually. Alongside this, Amazon offers AWS credits to incentivize loyalty among developers, a shift meant to align more closely with Apple and Google's recent adjustments.

Changes at Google Health

Google is downsizing its health team and merging portions with Fitbit amid a reorganization effort. This shift suggests a reevaluation of priorities within Google's health initiatives, focusing on improving execution and fulfilling broader health and wellness goals.

Artists Embrace Twitch for Monetization

Artists are flocking to Twitch for its unique ability to foster direct interactions and monetize their communities effectively. Unlike traditional streaming services, Twitch enables musicians to earn substantial income via subscriptions and donations, with some artists reporting earnings significantly higher than through platforms like Spotify.

Facebook's VR Market Dominance

The conversation shifts to Facebook's aggressive expansion in the VR market, reminiscent of its previous acquisitions in social media. Analysts raise concerns about potential monopolization within VR software, emphasizing the need for regulatory scrutiny as Facebook continues to acquire promising VR companies.