
Facebook opens Horizon Worlds VR app to public, inches close to metaverse
India Today
Eligible users who own Facebook’s Oculus virtual reality headsets can create a legless avatar that will wander in the animated virtual world, play games, and interact with other users’ avatars.
Facebook on Thursday announced that it is introducing Horizon Worlds, its virtual reality world of avatars, for users who are the age of 18 and above in the US and Canada. Eligible users who own Facebook’s Oculus virtual reality headsets can create a legless avatar that will wander in the animated virtual world, play games, and interact with other users’ avatars. Earlier, Horizon Worlds was available for select users in Beta who needed an invite to join. After the announcement, users will no longer need an invite.

Screen addiction is no longer just a Gen Z problem. According to recent studies and reports, elderly are now spending just as much, if not more, time on smartphones, TVs and social media. Researchers say this rising screen time among boomers and retirees may also have serious effects on their health.

Meta is scaling back its plans for a metaverse. The Mark Zuckerberg-led firm has announced that the company will be shutting down the Horizons World app from VR by June this year. This announcement comes after the company laid off workers from the Reality Labs division that was responsible for its metaverse projects.











