Mark Zuckerberg

TrendTechie
February 7, 2025
Meta is alleged to have unlawfully used pirated books for training its AI models, downloading at least 81.7 terabytes of data from torrent sources, including 35.7 terabytes from Z-Library. Internal communications reveal employee concerns about the legality of downloading pirated content, while leadership reportedly obscured their activities and operated in "stealth mode." Plaintiffs are seeking renewed interrogations of Meta personnel, claiming previous testimonies were misleading, and asserting that Meta's copyright infringements may involve distribution of pirated books. Meta defends its actions as falling under "fair use" and intends to challenge the allegations. Additionally, Meta and its products are prohibited in the Russian Federation due to being designated as extremist.
TrendTechie
February 4, 2025
Meta is facing a lawsuit in 2023 regarding the training of its LLM model, Llama, with allegations of using pirated content from torrent trackers. A judge has ordered the release of original documents, revealing internal discussions about the appropriateness of using torrents for AI training. An engineer raised concerns about using torrents on a corporate laptop, confirming the use of pirated content. There are indications that Mark Zuckerberg may have approved the use of such materials. Among the sources of pirated content was LibGen, a repository of pirated books and articles. Meta is defending its actions by citing the legal doctrine of "fair use."
AppWizard
December 12, 2024
Meta experienced a global outage affecting Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads, and Messenger, starting around 1 PM ET. By 5:30 PM, Meta reported being "99% of the way there" in resolving the issues, which had generated over 130,000 complaints according to Downdetector. The outage impacted users in the US, UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America, with specific issue reports as follows: Facebook (over 100,000), Instagram (62,000), Messenger (10,000), WhatsApp (11,000), and Threads (871). Users expressed frustrations on X, criticizing CEO Mark Zuckerberg. This incident followed a similar outage in October, raising concerns about Meta's service reliability.
Winsage
November 22, 2024
Meta and Microsoft announced a collaboration to enable Windows 11 PCs to wirelessly pair with Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets, set to enter public preview in December. This integration will allow users to create a multi-monitor workspace similar to the Apple Vision Pro's capabilities. The feature aims to provide a seamless connection to local Windows PCs or Windows 365 Cloud PCs. Users can connect to their PCs by looking at their keyboard, allowing for easy movement of windows across virtual monitors. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated that the Quest headsets are evolving beyond gaming to serve as general computing platforms for various applications.
Winsage
November 21, 2024
Microsoft announced the integration of "full capabilities of Windows 11" with Meta's Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets at the Ignite event. Users can connect their local Windows PC or Windows 365 Cloud PC to their Quest headsets in a few seconds, enabling a private workstation experience with virtual screens. While Windows cannot run natively on Quest devices, users can stream their desktop environments to the headset. Mark Zuckerberg mentioned that connecting the devices is as simple as "looking at the keyboard." The update will eliminate the need for additional software for casting features and is set for a public preview in December. Microsoft hinted at ongoing collaboration with Meta for "Windows Volumetric Apps" designed for Meta Quest headsets, although specific compatible apps have not been disclosed.
Winsage
November 20, 2024
Microsoft has partnered with Meta to integrate Windows 11 capabilities into mixed reality headsets, starting with the Meta Quest 3 and Quest 3S. This collaboration aims to enhance user experience in response to the popularity of Apple's Vision Pro. Users will be able to create a virtual multi-monitor workstation by connecting to a Windows 11 PC or a cloud-based Windows 365 instance, although they cannot fully replace their PCs with VR headsets. The connection process is expected to be quick, taking only seconds, and will be simpler than current third-party solutions. Mark Zuckerberg indicated that Quest users would soon only need to look at their keyboard to connect to a PC. A public preview is scheduled for December, but details on monitor support and resolution are still unclear. Microsoft has not addressed Volumetric Apps, which would allow streaming Windows to a Quest headset for 3D viewing, suggesting it may not be available at launch.
Winsage
November 19, 2024
Users of the Meta Quest 3 will soon be able to access the full capabilities of Windows 11 through their VR headsets, but the Quest 3 will not run Windows natively. Instead, it will stream content from a personal Windows 11 PC or a Windows Cloud PC via a Windows 365 subscription, aimed primarily at professional users. This feature will enter public preview in December and allows users to connect to a multiple-monitor workstation seamlessly. The Quest 3 series will compete with the Apple Vision Pro, which is marketed as a spatial computer. Users will be able to set up multiple virtual monitors in their field of view, and while gesture control details are unclear, it may draw inspiration from the Vision Pro. Current third-party applications like Virtual Desktop and Immersed are popular among Quest users for productivity. The Quest 3 has a contextual resolution of about 25 pixels per degree, compared to the Vision Pro's 34 pixels per degree, affecting the clarity of text-heavy virtual screens.
AppWizard
November 7, 2024
Meta's investment in WhatsApp has begun yielding substantial returns, with a 48% year-over-year increase in non-advertising revenue reported in Q3, largely due to WhatsApp's business messaging capabilities. This product enables companies to engage in paid conversations with customers, contributing to revenue growth since Q3 2022. Non-advertising revenue in Q3 was million, compared to .9 billion in ad revenue, but is growing at over twice the pace of advertising. Messaging products, including WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram Direct, are still in the early stages of monetization, with estimates suggesting messaging could account for around 10% of Meta's total revenue. A significant increase in content shared through direct messages has been noted, with a 100% year-over-year rise. Meta is also exploring revenue opportunities through sponsored messages and "click-to-message" ads. Generative AI is expected to enhance the messaging business's efficiency and potential revenue generation. User behavior is shifting towards sharing in direct messages rather than traditional feeds, prompting Meta to enhance its Messenger app with new features. Each messaging product serves different user bases and presents unique monetization opportunities.
Winsage
November 4, 2024
Microsoft's AI assistant and related services, previously known as "Copilot," may soon be rebranded as "Windows Intelligence" within Windows 11. This potential rebranding indicates a strategic move to centralize AI features in the operating system. Historically, the term "Windows Intelligence" has been associated with cybersecurity enhancements, but the current initiative aims to integrate AI across Microsoft's entire product suite, including applications like Notepad and Microsoft 365. The transition may see Copilot evolve from a standalone assistant to a feature within the Windows Intelligence framework. Recent updates to Microsoft Copilot include a dynamic card-style interface and a personalized Copilot Discover page. New features such as Click to Do and the Recall tool further demonstrate Microsoft's commitment to enhancing user experience through AI integration.
AppWizard
October 25, 2024
Mojang announced that Minecraft will cease support for VR headsets starting in March. The developer stated that its ability to support VR/MR devices has ended, with a final update scheduled for that month. While PC players can still access the VR version post-update, it will lack virtual reality components. This decision follows complaints from Oculus users about performance issues and aligns with a survey indicating a decline in the VR market. Meta has closed its first-party VR developer, Ready at Dawn, while Canadian studio Archiact has also shut down. In contrast, Sony is expanding its VR presence with PC support for PSVR2 and new titles, experiencing a surge in sales after a price drop.
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