Stories
Slash Boxes
Comments

SoylentNews is people

posted by janrinok on Friday December 20 2019, @08:13PM   Printer-friendly
from the choice-is-good,-right? dept.

Facebook is developing its own OS to reduce dependence on Android:

Despite the recent privacy scandals, mishandling of user data, and a potential federal injunction looming in the distance, Facebook seems to be going full steam ahead with its ambitions. According to a recent report by The Information, the company is now developing its own operating system to reduce dependency on Google’s Android. The development, as per The Verge, is being led by Mark Lucovsky — an ex-Microsoft official who co-authored the Windows NT operating system.

While the report provides a limited amount of information about how Facebook plans to use the new operating system, it does point out that currently Facebook’s Oculus and Portal devices run on a modified version of Android. This leads us to believe that with its new operating system the company plans to replace Android on its VR and smart devices. And one of Facebook’s AR and VR heads, Ficus Kirkpatrick, mirrors this sentiment. According to Kirkpatrick, “it’s possible” that Facebook’s future hardware won’t need to rely on Google’s software which could possibly remove Google’s control over the company’s hardware.

Andrew Bosworth, Facebook’s head of hardware, also told The Information that the company “want(s) to make sure the next generation has space for us. We don’t think we can trust the marketplace or competitors to ensure that’s the case. And so we’re going to do it ourselves.” Along with the aforementioned Oculus and Portal devices, Facebook is also working on AR glasses. Bosworth reveals that these glasses, codenamed “Orion”, could arrive as early as 2023. Interestingly, Apple is also expected to come out with its own pair of AR glasses around the same time. Facebook is reportedly also working on a brain control interface for its glasses, which could allow users to control them with their thoughts.


Original Submission

 
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.
Display Options Threshold/Breakthrough Mark All as Read Mark All as Unread
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
  • (Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 21 2019, @02:23AM (1 child)

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday December 21 2019, @02:23AM (#934893)

    I just look forward to Replicant or similar. I simply do not trust proprietary stuff anymore.

    All too often, stuff I pay for just causes me problems.

    I go to great lengths to avoid " I agree" to pages of legalese that starts out with " we may change these terms and conditions without notice". I see that, my trust is gone. I will go to great lengths to avoid using such a thing.

    If I am lucky, someone else has faced the same business talk assholery and has bypassed it.

    I hate signing contracts that are purposefully made so long and confusing as to discourage comprehension. If I can get around that aspect of the business relationship, I will.

     

    Starting Score:    0  points
    Moderation   +1  
       Funny=1, Total=1
    Extra 'Funny' Modifier   0  

    Total Score:   1  
  • (Score: 2) by stormwyrm on Saturday December 21 2019, @05:49AM

    by stormwyrm (717) on Saturday December 21 2019, @05:49AM (#934927) Journal

    I go to great lengths to avoid " I agree" to pages of legalese that starts out with " we may change these terms and conditions without notice".

    Translation: "I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further. [youtube.com]"

    --
    Numquam ponenda est pluralitas sine necessitate.