a16z Podcast | QR. AR. VR. | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Facebook's F8 conference featured announcements about parametric QR codes, brain-computer interfaces, augmented reality, social VR, and chatbots.

Key Insights

• 🖤 QR codes are gaining popularity in the US as Facebook promotes their usage, despite their previous lack of popularity.
• 🧠 Brain-computer interfaces have the potential to revolutionize typing and input methods, but their practicality and user adoption remain uncertain.
• 💁 The integration of augmented reality into social media platforms can enhance user experiences and support businesses in providing valuable information.
• 🈸 Social VR applications like Facebook Spaces offer unique opportunities for virtual hangouts and collaboration.
• 😒 The success of chatbots on Facebook Messenger relies on both improved discovery mechanisms and the development of compelling use cases.
• 🪡 The challenges of integrating features like payments and reliable discovery in chatbots highlight the need for continuous improvement in messaging platforms.
• ❤️‍🩹 Discontinuities between advancements in areas like brain-computer interfaces and everyday technologies, like payment systems, emphasize the importance of addressing both ends of the spectrum.

Transcript

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Questions & Answers

Q: What did Facebook announce in regards to messaging at F8?

Facebook announced the launch of parametric QR codes, making it easier for users to initiate conversations with messaging bots. QR codes can be used by companies and venues to create unique experiences for individual users.

Q: Why have QR codes been more popular in Asia, especially in China?

QR codes became popular in China because they were adopted as a primary way to add friends on WeChat. This made it convenient for users to connect with others without having to enter usernames or phone numbers.

Q: What is the purpose of Facebook's brain-computer interface project?

Facebook is working on a brain-computer interface that can interpret electrical signals from the speech center of the brain. The goal is to enable users to type 100 words per minute just by thinking, eliminating the need for physical input devices.

Q: How does Facebook plan to integrate augmented reality into its platforms?

Facebook plans to make its Messenger and Instagram cameras into AR camera app platforms. This will allow users to create and share AR experiences, such as adding informational overlays to real-world locations.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Facebook announced the launch of parametric QR codes, allowing users to scan QR codes to start conversations with messaging bots.

• QR codes have been popular in Asia, particularly in China, due to their use in adding friends on platforms like WeChat.

• Facebook also revealed its work on brain-computer interfaces, aiming to type 100 words per minute just by deciphering electrical signals from the speech center of the brain.

• The company is exploring the integration of augmented reality into its platforms, allowing users to create and share AR experiences.

• Facebook Spaces, a social VR application, was introduced, enabling users to hang out with friends in virtual reality.