Facebook has snapped up virtual reality start up Oculus VR for $2bn, expecting that in future virtual reality would transform the individuals’ Web experience.
Coming on the heels of the social media major’s $19bn WhatsApp deal last month, the first-ever hardware deal would allow it to foray into the rapidly-growing wearable devices arena.
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said that the latest deal marks a long-term bet on the future of computing.
"I believe Oculus can be one of the platforms of the future," Zuckerberg said.
The California based Oculus VR manufactures a virtual reality headset dubbed Oculus Rift, which is yet to be rolled out for consumers.
With the latest acquisition, Facebook is planning to develop an immersive 3-D experience by allowing users to chat online with friends as well hang with them virtually via a pair of goggles with dark lenses.
"Imagine not just sharing moments with friends online, but entire experiences and adventures," Zuckerberg added.
Operating as an independent company, Oculus will continue with its roadmap of development while help with recruiting, marketing, infrastructure, as well forge new partnerships.
The Oculus team said in a statement that the latest partnership is one of the most important moments for virtual reality: it gives us the best shot at truly changing the world.
"It opens doors to new opportunities and partnerships, reduces risk on the manufacturing and work capital side, allows us to publish more made-for-VR content, and lets us focus on what we do best: solving hard engineering challenges and delivering the future of VR," they added.
Oculus has received over 75,000 orders for second-generation development kits for the head-gear-mounted technology, at $350 per piece, which are scheduled to be delivered in July.
