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Facebook just hired a big shot to run its virtual reality division
IMAGE: BLOOMBERG VIA GETTY IMAGES
Mark Zuckerberg isn't kidding around about virtual reality.
The CEO of Facebook announced late Wednesday Hugo Barra is joining as the vice president of virtual reality (VPVR, in case you were curious).
The role covers Oculus and all other VR-related products at the company, according to Zuckerberg's Facebook post announcing the news.
The post included an image of Zuckerberg and Barra in Facebook's own VR social network, virtually celebrating the hire.
From Google to Xiaomi to Facebook
So who exactly is Barra? He last served as vice president of international at Chinese smartphone company Xiaomi, known as the "Apple of China," where he was the face behind the products.
Before Xiaomi, he led Google's Android division from 2010 to 2013.
The news of Barra leaving Xiaomi broke earlier this week. He later confirmed that in a Facebook post, where he added that he would soon be leaving China and moving back to Silicon Valley.
“My friends, what I consider to be my home, and my life are back in Silicon Valley, which is also much closer to my family. Seeing how much I’ve left behind these past few years, it is clear to me that the time has come to return," Barra wrote Monday.
My 3.5 years at @xiaomi has been the greatest life adventure. Now it’s time to come home. Wrote a letter here: bit.ly/2j3KznT
Back in 2014, Zuckerberg made a big bet on virtual reality when his company acquired VR startup Oculus for $3 billion. Since then, Facebook has hired top engineers to build what the CEO has called the "next major computing platform."
Zuckerberg appeared in Dallas court last week to defend his company's commitment to VR for a case alleging Oculus is stolen technology. Facebook currently sells its VR headset Oculus Rift for $599.
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