Facebook's Oculus acquires 'Population: One' battle royale developer BigBox VR

Facebook is bringing more interesting content to its VR platform. The company's Oculus arm just acquired BigBox VR, the developer behind Population: One, a Fortnite-esque battle royale game. The developer will continue to support the game on its existing platforms, and it still plans to expand the title. So, those who play the game on a non-Oculus device can continue to do so.

Source: Engadget

Facebook acquires Downpour Interactive, the studio behind VR shooter 'Onward'

Photo by Maxim Hopman on Unsplash

Facebook continues to grow its Oculus Studios stable with its latest acquisition. The company has just bought Downpour Interactive, the developer behind the virtual reality shooter Onward. Facebook hasn't revealed the deal's financial terms, but it mentioned that it purchased the entire studio.

According to Downpour and Facebook, they plan to support Onward on all the platforms it is currently available, which includes Steam. Downpour intends to work on new projects, but it won't share any details on what these might be. But its team hopes to "bring those experiences to as many people as possible."

Source: Engadget

Google acquires Neverware, will now support Chrome OS running on old PCs

Over the last five years, Neverware has turned old PCs and Macs into a Chromebook with its CloudReady software, allowing you to extend the life of machines that would be rendered obsolete. Now, Google has acquired Neverware and plans to make its software into an official Chrome OS release. Existing users will be able to transition to the updated software. And once the transition is complete, Google will support CloudReady in the same way it does Chrome OS.

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Uber sells self-driving unit to Aurora

Source: Uber

Uber selling off its self-driving division isn't a surprise. But now, we learn that it is selling its Advanced Technologies Group (ATG) to Aurora Innovation, an autonomous vehicle startup and once its rival. Uber will invest US$400 million in Aurora as part of the deal, and its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi will join the startup's board of directors.

As Engadget puts it, Uber is paying Aurora to take ATG off its hands. In the short term, Aurora will use ATG's tech for its self-driving truck. Later on, there will be robot taxis as Uber is licensing the tech from Aurora. 

This sale won't be the last sale Uber will make as it tries to carve a path to profitability. This month, Uber is said to be in advanced talks with Joby Aviation to sell its flying taxi division. This sale could be confirmed in the next few weeks.