Facebook F8 conference as it happened: Zuckerberg gets ready to unveil chatbots, live video and more
The tech community is waiting to hear Mark Zuckerberg's latest plans for the world's biggest social network
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Facebook's F8 developer conference has kicked off, and the world of tech is waiting eagerly for some big announcements.
There's been a steady stream of rumours about what Facebook co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg is going to unveil at the opening of the conference.
Chatbots are believed to be one of the major new products, smart conversational programs built in to Facebook Messenger that can order pizzas, book taxis and reserve tickets. We're also expecting more details on its live video streaming tool, and possibly new plans for virtual reality (VR).
Follow our liveblog below to keep up-to-date with all the latest news from the conference.
Keep reading The Independent for more detailed news from the conference in Fort Mason, San Francisco as it comes.
Zuck just criticised people who want to reduce immigration, "build walls" and limit access to the internet - is that a veiled Trump comment?
Mark Zuckerberg: "Instead of building walls, we can help people build bridges" - again with the Trump references.
"Giving everyone in the world the power to share anything with anyone" - that's Facebook's goal, says Zuckerberg.
Making data cheaper, building new drone, satellite and laser communications systems - this is how Facebook intends to bring the internet to more people around the world.
"We're always trying to get closer to this purest form of capturing an idea or an experience" - this is why Facebook wants to seriously beef up its 360-degree, VR video plans.
Facebook's also going big on artificial intelligence (AI) - Zuckerberg said it's going to be used to improve your newsfeed, by 'reading' articles and looking at photos.
Facebook's making its Torch artifical intelligence program open source - allowing everyone to take advantage of their advances in the field.
"We're building technology which is going to change the way we all see the world" - Zuckerberg now moving on to virtual reality.
The Oculus Rift has now taken to the stage - Zuck's showing off the VR headset's touch controllers, which users will be able to use to naturally interact with the virtual world around them.
VR has the capacity to be "the most social platform," Zuckerberg says.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments