Mark Zuckerberg's Shocking Betrayal: Supernatural VR Meets Its End
Mark Zuckerberg's Shocking Betrayal: Supernatural VR Meets Its End
Mark Zuckerberg once battled the FTC to acquire Within, the studio behind Supernatural, hailing VR fitness as the next Peloton. Yet, in a stunning pivot, Meta has axed new content and updates for the beloved $10/month app, citing studio changes amid layoffs in Reality Labs. Loyal users, who formed deep bonds with charismatic coaches like Leanne Pedante, now face a static library haunted by digital ghosts.
From Acquisition Triumph to Maintenance Mode
Three years post-acquisition, Zuckerberg's priorities shifted dramatically—from fitness innovation to AI dominance. Court testimony revealed his downplaying of VR workouts in favor of social features, foreshadowing this demise. Subscribers vent fury online: "What the fuck," one fumed with 60 upvotes, demanding refunds as song licenses loom. Another with 600 upvotes insisted static content warrants a one-time fee, not yearly charges.
Users Reeling, Meta's Bigger Picture
"I despise Meta," echoes the raw sentiment as hearts break over lost motivation. While existing workouts persist, the community mourns life-changing routines. This move underscores Meta's ruthless focus on AI, leaving VR fitness dreams shattered and questioning Zuckerberg's visionary promises.
About the People Mentioned
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg is an American businessman and computer programmer, best known as the co-founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Meta Platforms, Inc. Born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg showed an early interest in programming and technology. He enrolled at Harvard University in 2002, where in February 2004 he launched the social networking site thefacebook.com, initially for Harvard students. The site quickly expanded to other universities and, later, to the general public, becoming one of the world’s most widely used social media platforms. Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook with several Harvard classmates, including Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. He dropped out of Harvard in 2004 to focus on the company, moving its operations to Palo Alto, California. Under his leadership, Facebook grew rapidly, reaching hundreds of millions of users and going public in 2012. The company later acquired major platforms such as Instagram and WhatsApp, significantly expanding its global reach and influence. In October 2021, Zuckerberg announced a corporate rebranding, changing Facebook’s parent company name to Meta Platforms to reflect a strategic focus on building the “metaverse,” a vision of interconnected virtual and augmented reality experiences. As Meta’s CEO, he continues to oversee Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and related technologies, including virtual reality products through the Reality Labs division. Zuckerberg has been a central figure in debates over social media, data privacy, and free expression. In recent years, Meta has made changes to its content policies, including scaling back third-party fact-checking programs on Facebook and Instagram in favor of greater emphasis on free expression. As of late 2025, he remains one of the world’s wealthiest individuals and a key player in shaping the future of digital communication and online platforms.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Meta
Meta Platforms, Inc., known simply as Meta, is a leading American multinational technology company headquartered in Menlo Park, California, best known for its ownership of major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads[1]. Founded in 2004 as TheFacebook, Inc., it rebranded to Facebook, Inc. in 2005 and adopted the Meta name in 2021 to signal its strategic pivot towards building the "metaverse"—a digital ecosystem integrating virtual and augmented reality technologies[1]. Meta primarily generates revenue through advertising, which constituted approximately 97.8% of its total income as of 2023[1]. The company is a key player among Big Tech firms, alongside Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon, with a market capitalization of about $1.585 trillion as of early 2025[6]. It has a vast global user base, with Facebook alone boasting hundreds of millions of users in countries like India (378 million), the U.S. (194 million), Indonesia, and Brazil, supported by extensive localization efforts for over 111 languages[6]. Meta invests heavily in research and development, spending $35.3 billion in 2022, making it the world’s third-largest R&D spender[1]. Its current focus emphasizes artificial intelligence (AI) and superintelligence, with major investments such as a multibillion-dollar funding round in AI startup Scale AI in 2025, and the development of advanced AI models like Llama 4.1 and 4.2 through its Meta Superintelligence Labs[1][2]. This AI-driven shift reflects Meta’s evolving mission to empower individual users through personalized digital experiences, moving beyond its original social networking identity[2]. In addition to social media and AI, Meta pursues innovation in augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) hardware, notably through products like Meta Quest VR headsets and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses,
FTC
The **Federal Trade Commission (FTC)** is an independent U.S. federal agency established in 1914 by the Federal Trade Commission Act to promote consumer protection and enforce antitrust laws[1][3]. Its core mission is to prevent unfair, deceptive, or fraudulent business practices and to maintain fair competition in the marketplace, covering nearly all sectors of the economy except certain banks, insurance, and transportation entities[2][5]. The FTC operates through three main bureaus: Consumer Protection, Competition, and Economics, supported by various offices and regional branches[1][5]. The FTC is governed by five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, each serving seven-year terms with a political party balance restriction to maintain impartiality[1][3]. Currently, Andrew N. Ferguson serves as Chair since January 2025[3]. Historically, the FTC was created in response to the monopolistic trusts of the 19th century, tasked with enforcing both the FTC Act and the Clayton Act to curb anti-competitive behavior[1][3]. It shares antitrust enforcement with the Department of Justice and has evolved to include rulemaking authority to define unfair or deceptive acts more precisely[2][6]. The agency conducts investigations through administrative processes or federal lawsuits, using tools like subpoenas and Civil Investigative Demands[4][6]. Key achievements include high-profile antitrust actions such as the 2020 lawsuit against Meta (formerly Facebook) for allegedly acquiring competitors to stifle competition and harm consumers[3]. The FTC continuously updates its rules and enforcement strategies to keep pace with marketplace innovations and technology-driven challenges[2][5]. Today, the FTC also emphasizes consumer education, offering resources to help individuals recognize and avoid scams, and it advocates for legislative reforms to protect the public and foster a vibrant economy driven by fair competition[5][7]. Its comprehensive authority and proactive enforcement make the FTC a pivotal agency in shaping business practices and safeguarding consumer rights in the evolving digital and commercial landscap
Within
No specific organization named **'Within'** appears in the provided search results, which instead focus broadly on **business technology**—the tools, systems, and innovations companies use to enhance operations, efficiency, and competitiveness.[1][2][3] **Business technology** encompasses hardware (e.g., computers, mobile devices), software (e.g., CRM systems, AI tools), and platforms (e.g., cloud services, collaboration apps) that streamline tasks like communication, inventory management, and decision-making.[1][3][8] It drives **digital transformation** by automating processes, enabling real-time insights, and fostering agility in a fast-changing market.[2][4] Historically, business technology evolved from basic computing to integrated systems spurred by the internet, reducing communication costs and shifting production models toward less vertical integration and more external collaboration.[5] Advances in AI, IoT, and machine learning have accelerated this, allowing firms to predict market trends, personalize customer experiences, and detect fraud.[4][6] Key achievements include boosted productivity—82% of small businesses adopting AI report growth[6]—and enhanced collaboration via tools like video conferencing, VOIP, and platforms such as G Suite or Asana, which support remote work and faster problem-solving.[2][7] CRM systems build customer loyalty through data-driven personalization, while automation tools like Zapier free employees for high-value tasks.[1][6] Currently, as of 2026, business technology remains pivotal for navigating VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, adaptive) environments, with ongoing investments in analytics and AI reshaping organizational structures.[4][5] Notable aspects include its role in hybrid workforces, competitive edges via data analysis, and adaptability across industries, from manufacturing to services—ensuring businesses stay innovative and resilient.[3][9] If 'Within' refers to a particular company (e.g., in wellness tech or another niche), additional context would help refine this; the results highligh
Reality Labs
**Reality Labs** is **Meta's division dedicated to advancing virtual and augmented reality technologies**, bringing together researchers, developers, and engineers to build the future of connection in immersive digital spaces.[1] ## History and Evolution Reality Labs was established over a decade ago as Meta's ambitious bet on extended-horizon research and product development in VR and AR.[2] The division's journey began with the **Oculus Go in 2018**, a standalone VR headset priced at $199 that dramatically improved visual clarity and allowed users to experience concerts, movies, and social interactions.[2] This was followed by the **Oculus Rift S in 2019**, which introduced inside-out tracking technology, eliminating the need for external sensors.[2] ## Key Achievements The most significant milestone came with the **Quest series**—the world's first standalone VR headsets launched in 2019, enabling wireless exploration of virtual worlds without external equipment.[2] Meta expanded the platform with **Quest 2**, incorporating AI-powered hand tracking for natural interaction.[2] In October 2022, **Quest Pro** introduced compelling mixed reality with eye tracking and natural facial expressions, followed by the **Meta Quest 3 in 2023**—positioned as the world's first mass-market mixed reality headset.[2] ## Current Status and Applications Today, Reality Labs operates across both consumer and enterprise sectors. The division focuses on transforming business operations through AR/VR applications, including employee training for high-risk scenarios, real estate sales enhancement, and spatial computing platforms.[3] Christine Trodella leads go-to-market strategies as Vice President, overseeing enterprise solutions like Quest for Business, Meta's mobile device management solution for scaling mixed reality devices.[3] Reality Labs Research remains committed to publishing groundbreaking work on display systems, haptics, and emerging technologies,
Peloton
Peloton Interactive, Inc. is a pioneering fitness company that has revolutionized the home workout experience by seamlessly integrating high-end fitness equipment with engaging digital content. Founded in 2012 by John Foley, Peloton initially gained fame for its flagship product, the Peloton Bike, which allows users to stream live and on-demand fitness classes. This innovative approach has positioned Peloton as a leader in the at-home fitness industry. **History and Key Achievements:** Peloton's journey began with a focus on premium hardware sales, accompanied by a subscription model for access to fitness classes. The company expanded its offerings with the introduction of the Peloton Tread, a treadmill designed to provide similar interactive workout experiences. Peloton's popularity surged during the COVID-19 pandemic as consumers sought home fitness solutions. The company went public in 2019, raising significant capital despite initial financial losses. As of 2023, Peloton boasts a substantial member base of 3.3 million subscribers. **Current Status:** Currently, Peloton operates on a hybrid business model combining hardware sales with subscription services. The company has shifted towards a "Hardware-as-a-Service" model, offering rental options to reduce upfront costs and increase accessibility. This strategy has improved customer retention and enhanced the overall user experience. Despite facing challenges such as market saturation and product safety concerns, Peloton continues to innovate and expand its offerings. **Notable Aspects:** Peloton's success can be attributed to its unique blend of high-quality equipment, interactive classes, and a strong community. The company's use of technology, such as touchscreens and leaderboards, enhances user engagement. Peloton's subscription model provides a predictable revenue stream, contributing significantly to its profitability. The company's ability to adapt and innovate has made it a benchmark for the integration of technology and fitness.