Meta is not hosting its annual F8 developer conference this yr, probably as a result of it’s specializing in constructing different issues, like its metaverse and ‘Zuck Bucks.’
To be clear, it’s really internet hosting a few smaller occasions this yr. In Could, it’s internet hosting a Conversations occasion that’s all about enterprise messaging. And later in October, it’s going to have a Join occasion, and that can be all issues metaverse.
In its official assertion, the corporate mentioned it is a break from its common schedule; it makes me not sure about whether or not we’ll see an F8 occasion within the subsequent few years.
The second a part of the information from Meta is about ‘Zuck Bucks’ — a digital token that the agency is constructing to cater to purchases and rewards within the metaverse, in response to a report by Financial Times.
Don’t fear, the digital forex gained’t be actually named ‘Zuck Bucks.’ It’s simply an inside title staff metamates are going with.
The report notes just a few key factors about this venture. It’s not going to be a cryptocurrency, and it gained’t be on a blockchain. It will be just like an in-game forex like Pokécoins in Pokémon Go and Robux forex in Roblox.
Notably, Fb shut down its cryptocurrency project Diem in January, and offered its property to US-based Silvergate financial institution.
FT’s stories spotlight that the social community firm can be exploring the potential for rewarding folks with particular tokens for “significant contributions” in Fb teams. Plus, it’s additionally taking a look at rewarding separate tokens to creators on Instagram.
It’s not a novel concept. Indian brief video platform Chingari — which has greater than 35 million month-to-month energetic customers — is already experimenting with a local crypto token known as GARI for creators.
There’s no readability if all these tokens can be interchangeable with ‘Zuck Bucks,’ or in the event you’ll must redeem them individually.
All these tasks are within the works, so it’s attainable they may materialize in a special kind, or not see the sunshine of the day in any case.
Notably, Fb’s each day energetic customers fell for the primary time this yr. So the corporate will try to get these numbers up, and gamifying extra actions on the social community may very well be one method to get there.
However let’s not overlook each Apple and Google are being profitable from any cellular app that’s promoting in-app tokens, as a part of the situations for internet hosting them of their app shops. So that they’ll probably be holding a detailed eye on how Meta will implement this.
