Atlanta
Austin
Charlotte
Chicago
Columbus
Dallas
Denver
Des Moines
Nashville
NW Arkansas
Philadelphia
Tampa Bay
Twin Cities
Washington D.C.
Menu
Get smarter, faster about your hometown.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.
Image: Facebook
Facebook unveiled a series of new moves in augmented and virtual reality on Thursday, as part of its longer-term effort to help build a "metaverse" that will bring physically distant people closer together.
Between the lines: Facebook has said this is its next major push, but it comes as the company is under intense scrutiny for how it is managing the impact of its existing services.
Details: The company is using its annual Facebook Connect conference to outline a series of new features and products, as well as some investments to spur adoption of the technologies. Among them:
The big picture: Facebook is investing billions in its metaverse push. On its earnings call this week, the company said investments in its augmented and virtual reality efforts will dent operating earnings by $10 billion this year.
What they're saying: Speaking briefly to a group of reporters, CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged the many controversies surrounding Facebook, but stressed the importance of continuing to invest in a years-out future.
illustration a Pokémon Go logo. Photo: Pavlo Gonchar/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Niantic, an S.F.-based maker of augmented reality games like "Pokémon Go," raised $300 million from Coatue at a $9 billion valuation.
Why it matters: This is about the metaverse that Meta isn't interested in building.
Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images
Approximately 199,000 Americans filed initial claims for unemployment insurance‌ last‌ week, a 71,000 decrease from the week before.
Why it matters: The Labor Department said it was the lowest level of initial claims since Nov. 15, 1969, when claims reached 197,000.
Photo: Michele Tantussi/Getty Images
Olaf Scholz will become the next chancellor of Germany after his center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) finalized a deal with the Greens and the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on Wednesday to form a new governing coalition.
Why it matters: Scholz, who serves as finance minister and vice chancellor in the current coalition, will lead Europe's largest economy into the post-Merkel era.
Sign up for Mike Allen’s daily Axios AM and PM newsletters to get smarter, faster on the news that matters.
Please enter a valid email.
Please enter a valid email.

source