Whether virtual-reality technology really takes off in a big way remains to be seen. But with Facebook having just dropped $2 billion acquiring Oculus Rift, a whole lot of people — some of them with very large checkbooks — are confident it will.

Both Apple and Google have have shown interest in virtual reality, but what exactly does it have the potential to change in our lives?

Here are seven answers:

Russian government officials have ditched the iPad in favor of Samsung-made tablets according to a recent report. The move was supposedly made to “ensure tighter security.”

Russia’s telecoms minister Nikolai Nikiforov notes that Russian officials switched over to Samsung tablets “not so long ago,” and noted that the new tablets are “specially protected devices that can be used to work with confidential information.”

Uber, the app-based alternative to traditional taxi services, is reportedly considering switching its drivers from iPhones to Samsung-manufactured Android handsets.

Uber has previously purchased tens of thousands of iPhones, which are used for receiving and tracking rides. Although customers can use Uber on either an iOS or Android handset, the drivers’ systems runs only on iOS.

Want to know how the iOS and Android battle is playing out around the world?

Mobile technology firm dotMobi has created an infographic dividing 101 countries around the world into either the Apple (black) or Google (green) camp, based on device browsing. (Grey countries are not included in the dataset.)

Apple didn’t infringe on Samsung patents, and therefore won’t have to pay any damages, a Tokyo District Court said Tuesday.

Apple has been accused of infringing on data communication patents belonging to Samsung, which featured in Apple’s iPhone 4s, iPhone 4 and iPad 2.