Facebook's VR boondoggle continues, SpaceX is really pro at this space thing and Facebook doesn't mind fake news from non-fake sources. All that and more in The Daily Crunch for October 12, 2017. 1. Facebook reveals standalone VR headset and more at Oculus Connect Facebook is still pouring money into VR. The company's Oculus Connect developer conference proved a launchpad for a new standalone Oculus headset, as well as much more. The takeaway? Facebook isn't going to be leaning on anyone else to make VR happen – it's going to do it all itself. But that probably still won't be enough to make it a real thing, tbh. 2. Facebook will buy 'fake news' ads so long as they come from non-fraudulent sources Facebook doesn't want to shut down its ad platform, even after finding out it was being misused to essentially deliver propaganda. The company's COO Sheryl Sandberg said that most of the ads identified as Russian-purchased would've been allowed to run if they had come from legitimate, non-fraudulent sources. 3. SpaceX's rocket record grows SpaceX has launched 15 rockets this year alone. Fifteen. And it's landed 18 Falcon 9 first stages in total, including this one, which was already reused once. I love it when a plan comes together. 4. Twitter wtf Twitter banned actress Rose McGowan temporarily after she tweeted out some merited invective at Ben Affleck. A video of Affleck inappropriately touching an MTV host surfaced after the actor had posted a statement against Harvey Weinstein on Facebook. McGowan getting suspended while many, many monsters retain their posting rights – including Donald Trump – is a sign of where the company's true priorities lie. 5. What's in a name? 'Virgin Hyperloop One,' for instance Hyperloop One is now Virgin Hyperloop One, perhaps because Richard Branson gave them a ton of money. Interesting rebrand, considering there's no acquisition – yet. 6. Spotify debuts an artist-facing app I still think Spotify's ultimate ambition is to cut out the big labels and deal directly with artists, more Netflix style. This management app for artists on its platform could be part of that long-term vision. 7. Target broadens Google partnership Target is working with Google to stave off Walmart and Amazon, and now the deal extends across all the U.S. to allow customers to shop its wares via Google Express, as well as by voice via Google Home. |