Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg took the witness stand in December in a trial against the metaverse contender‘s acquisition of VR startup Within Unlimited. The case comes from U.S. antitrust regulators attempting to stop the purchase, citing it will hinder competition. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the merger violates antitrust laws and will lead to a reduction in consumer options that fall outside of Meta’s control.
Within Unlimited’s Supernatural VR App
Within is the company behind virtual reality fitness app Supernatural. The app offers users personalised daily workouts and training from actual trainers. According to the company, Supernatural “builds on the beloved mechanics of VR rhythm games’’ and lets users virtually visit beautiful landscapes as they exercise to a soundtrack of popular music.
While the FTC argues that the acquisition will give Meta an unfair advantage in the VR fitness sector, Zuckerberg claims that fitness isn’t one of the primary uses of VR. Zuckerberg went on to testify that Meta is mainly focusing on games and social experiences for VR rather than fitness. He also stated that while Meta has previously considered creating a VR fitness app, it is unlikely in today’s market that such a project will come to fruition.
On the flip side, the FTC argues that Meta is still likely to pursue the VR fitness market and is more than capable of creating its own VR fitness app instead of absorbing Within Unlimited, one of the most successful independent VR fitness companies.
For now, Meta is delaying its acquisition of Supernatural’s developer until January 31. However, whether the deal will ultimately go through at that time is unclear.
Losing Trust in the Zuck
Beyond the trial against the FTC, Facebook founder and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been facing much backlash this year. In April, Meta shareholders began questioning Zuckerberg’s leadership after company shares took a 34 percent dip. Former CEO of Medtronic Bill George also slammed Zuckerberg’s leadership. Likewise, music artist Grimes stated he was underqualified to create the metaverse. Even Meta’s chatbot dissed the Meta CEO.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
