Let's do some math.
- Facebook is now "Meta."
- Meta is a virtual reality company.
- The virtual reality company just announced they are opening a physical store for their product.
Oh, how I wish I could have come up with this headline.
And yes, it's a real thing.
The virtual reality company still isn't virtual enough to divorce from ACTUAL reality, so the company is opening a physical storefront in May.
Meta said Monday that it's opening its first retail store on May 9. The 1,550-square-foot space will be located on the social network's campus in Burlingame, California, where employees are focusing on the metaverse -- virtual worlds where people will be able to work, play and socialize. The opening underscores how serious the tech giant is getting about creating consumer hardware, taking on companies such as Google and Apple that also have physical stores. Still, products such as VR headsets and smart glasses that allow you to enter these virtual spaces haven't become mainstream yet.
People will be able to "work, play, and socialize" in the metaverse. But if you want the best experience, you still have to have the best PHYSICAL technology possible.
For now.
"Once people experience the technology, they can gain a better appreciation for it. If we did our job right, people should leave and tell their friends, 'You've got to go check out the Meta Store,'" Martin Gilliard, head of the Meta Store, said in a statement.
Actual video of a Meta employee wandering the mall in an attempt to get teens to buy their stuff:
The store will feature products such as Meta's first pair of smart glasses with Ray-Ban, which let you snap photos and 30-second videos. People will also be able to check out Facebook's line of video chat devices called Portal that became more popular during the coronavirus pandemic. You'll also be able to try out the company's latest VR headset, the Quest 2, and people will be able to play games such as Beat Saber, Golf Plus, Real VR Fishing and Supernatural on the device. A wall-to-wall curved LED screen will display what you're seeing in virtual reality.
Visitors to the store will be able to purchase the Quest 2 VR headset and accessories, along with the Portal video chat devices. They'll also be able to try out the Ray-Ban Stories specs, but they'll still have to order those directly from Ray-Ban.com. Meta said it's rolling out a shop tab on meta.com that will showcase all its hardware products in one place.
Good luck with your fake world, ya weirdos!
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