• Facebook announced the open beta launch of its VR-based remote working app Horizon Workrooms. The app is available for the Oculus Quest 2 virtual reality headset and smartphone, desktop, or laptop users.

• Workrooms emulate the office environment using spatial audio, 3D-animated spaces where users are represented by avatars, virtual whiteboards, topped off with video conferencing integrations. In addition, the spaces allow users to take notes, delegate action items from meetings, share files, and chat with team members. The 3D spaces can be customized with virtual layouts and accommodate up to 16 participants in VR and up to 50 participants in a call.

<ul><li>Quicktake: In the quest to accommodate the future of work, it seems Facebook is sticking to its in-house capabilities. On the other hand, Microsoft has been active in this regard using a combination of in-house development and M&A. It unveiled a virtual reality platform “Microsoft Mesh'' which is planned to be integrated with Microsoft Teams in March 2021. Recently , it acquired Peer5, a developer of a technology that enables large-scale live video streaming solutions, to support its hybrid work aspirations. </ul>