15 Fascinating Facts About Meta (Facebook) You Should Know
- Facebook hit refresh in 2021—the company is now called 'Meta' and they have some wild new ambitions.
- Mark Zuckerberg's got a plan, and it's straight out of a sci-fi novel.
- Infinity logos, Project Nazare, and a $10 billion bet—the future's looking virtual.
You've probably heard about Facebook's dramatic transformation. On October 28th, 2021, Mark Zuckerberg announced at the annual Facebook Connect conference that the company is rebranding itself as Meta. This move signalled the company's bold new direction towards the metaverse—the so-called "future of the internet." Here are 15 interesting and inspiring facts about Meta that shed light on this significant shift.
1. The Meaning Behind "Meta"
The name Meta is inspired by the Greek word "μετά," meaning "beyond" or "transcending." Mark Zuckerberg believes it symbolizes that there's always more to build and create. The new name reflects the company's ambitions to expand beyond social media and become a leading player in the metaverse.
2. The Reason for Rebranding
Zuckerberg envisions Meta as more than just a social media company. In his keynote speech, he stated:
Over time, I hope that we are seen as a metaverse company, and I want to anchor our work and identity on what we're building toward.
This rebranding is aimed at aligning the company's identity with its long-term vision.
3. The Symbolism of the New Logo
Meta's new logo is an infinity loop that resembles the letter "M." It represents endless possibilities and universes. Designed for versatility, it's effective across various platforms—from apps to virtual reality worlds. The logo retains the iconic blue color but introduces a gradient that transitions smoothly from darker to lighter shades.
Photo via NSS Magazine // All of the design inspirations behind Meta's logo design.
4. Preparations Began in 2014
Meta's journey toward the metaverse didn't start overnight. Back in 2014, Facebook acquired the VR headset startup Oculus, indicating early preparations for this new frontier. Zuckerberg revealed that his dream of an embodied internet dates back to his middle school days.
5. What Is the Metaverse?
In simple terms, the metaverse is a virtual world where people interact through avatars in a 3D environment. It's envisioned as the future of the internet, where you can do virtually everything you do in the real world. Zuckerberg describes it as:
"In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents' living room to catch up."
6. Origin of the Term "Metaverse"
The term was first coined by author Neal Stephenson in his 1992 sci-fi novel "Snow Crash." In the book, humans interact with each other and software agents in a 3D virtual space using avatars.
Photo via The Verge // Facebook's iconic thumbs up headquarters logo has been replaced by the Meta logo.
7. Apps Retain Their Original Names
While the parent company has been renamed Meta, its apps—including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—will keep their existing names. However, the Oculus Quest app will be renamed Meta Quest.
8. Andrew "Boz" Bosworth Becomes CTO
Starting in 2022, Andrew Bosworth, known as "Boz," will take over as Meta's Chief Technology Officer. Currently heading Reality Labs, Meta's hardware division, Bosworth has been with the company for 15 years and was instrumental in creating News Feed.
9. Stock Ticker Change
Meta plans to change its stock ticker symbol from FB to MVRS on December 1st, 2021, aligning it with the company's new direction toward the metaverse.
10. Zuckerberg's Vision for the Future
Mark Zuckerberg has big plans for the metaverse:
"Our hope is that within the next decade, the metaverse will reach a billion people, host hundreds of billions of dollars of digital commerce, and support jobs for millions of creators and developers."
He acknowledges that fully realizing this vision will take 5 to 10 years.
Photo via CNN // Mark Zuckerberg in 2024.
11. Meta's Social Media Footprint
Following the rebrand, Meta's social media presence is substantial:
- Facebook Page: Over 50 million likes
- Instagram: 1.4 million followers
- YouTube: 146,000 subscribers
- Twitter: 13.6 million followers
12. A $10 Billion Investment
Meta is investing approximately $10 billion over the next year to develop the technologies needed for the metaverse. This significant investment underscores the company's commitment to this new venture.
13. Introducing Project Nazare
Meta announced Project Nazare, the code name for its upcoming AR-capable smart glasses. These will be the company's first fully augmented reality glasses, though they're still "a few years out." Zuckerberg remarked:
"We still have a ways to go with Nazare, but we're making good progress."
14. Addressing Controversies
Some speculate that the rebranding is a move to distance the company from recent criticisms and whistleblower revelations. When asked about this, Zuckerberg dismissed the notion as "ridiculous," emphasizing that the rebrand is about future ambitions, not past controversies.
15. Massive Hiring Spree
Meta has announced plans to hire 10,000 people in Europe to help build the metaverse. This recruitment drive highlights the scale and importance of the project for the company's future.
Photo via Bloomberg // Another image of Mark Zuckerberg in 2024.
Conclusion
Meta's transformation is not just a rebrand; it's a bold leap toward shaping the next era of the internet, at least if you believe Zuckerberg. It's inspiring to see a tech giant not resting on its laurels but pushing the boundaries of what's possible. While challenges undoubtedly lie ahead, the vision of an interconnected virtual world is both exciting and thought-provoking.
What are your thoughts on Meta and the metaverse? Feel free to share your opinions below.
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