Facebook pays US$2b for virtual reality headgear firm

[SAN FRANCISCO] Facebook on Tuesday announced a US$2 billion deal to buy a startup behind virtual reality headgear that promises to let people truly dive into their friends' lives.

Facebook co-founder and chief Mark Zuckerberg said the acquisition of Oculus was a long-term bet that making the social network's offerings more immersive would pay off.

"People will build a model of a place far away and you will just go see it; it is just like teleporting," Mr Zuckerberg said.