Facebook have announced, in a press release and on Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook page, that they intend to purchase Oculus VR, makers of the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. The acquisition will be in the region of $2 Billion with additional payments upon the achievement of certain milestones.

Zuckerberg explains the reasoning behind this latest acquisition in a post on his Facebook page and says that this is the next platform and will "enable even more useful, entertaining and personal experiences.".

He also says "Imagine enjoying a court side seat at a game, studying in a classroom of students and teachers all over the world or consulting with a doctor face-to-face -- just by putting on goggles in your home. This is really a new communication platform. "

This is quite a different direction for Facebook who's recent acquisitions, such as WhatsApp, have been high usage services based around communications. This now takes them in to the territory of the likes of Google. Let the head wear battle commence.

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