Facebook has announced a strong commitment to the 'metaverse'. So much so that Mark Zuckerberg's company has changed its name to Meta, referring to the world of virtual and augmented reality so promising that it awaits us in the coming years. But, how is this new environment really for the hitherto called Facebook?
Facebook (now Meta) describes the 'metaverse' as “ a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who are not in the same physical space as you.” That is, it is a kind of world that will allow you to live an experience very similar to reality, but without being, precisely, the real world. In fact, the company highlights that in its metaverse it will be possible to buy products, chat with friends, go to concerts or even work.
It's not necessarily about spending more time online, it's about making the time you spend online more meaningful.
Andrew Bosworth, Vice President of Facebook Reality Labs Is the 'metaverse0 the future of the internet? In a way, yes. In fact, that's how Mark Zuckerberg described it during his presentation on 'Facebook Connect'. The 'metaverse' goes beyond being able to search for anything on Google, or chat with friends or family through multiple messaging apps, or share content on social networks. The goal, after all, is to create a more realistic experience over the internet.
How can we interact with Facebook's 'metaverse'? Probably with devices adapted for it, such as augmented reality glasses, screens or even watches. Facebook, in fact, seems to be developing various products so that its virtual world can begin to be a reality soon. But other manufacturers are likely to develop tools as well, both for Facebook's 'metaverse' and for other companies.
Facebook's 'metaverse' is not the only one
Because yes, Meta (Facebook) has not invented the 'metaverse', although it is one of the companies that is betting the strongest on this new world that, precisely, does not necessarily have to be in 3D or through glasses of augmented reality . In fact, the 'metaverse' has always been around, but in different ways.
For example, NTFs could also be considered part of the 'metaverse' . After all, they are digital possessions that can only be interacted with virtually.
Epic Games has also shown a lot of interest in this virtual world with a somewhat different approach than what Mark Zuckerberg proposes. Tim Sweeney, CEO of the game developer company such as 'Fortnite', commented in an interview with The Washington Post that the 'metaverse' could refer to a virtual world where users interact with brands, where they can promote their products based on to experiences.
So can there be more than one 'metaverse'? Yes, although the goal for companies like Nvidia, who are also interested in a virtual world, is to create an environment similar to the World Wide Web , where companies share resources so that users “can teleport you to different worlds,” said Richard Kerris, vice president of Omniverse at Nvidia (Via LA Times).
When can we be part of this virtual world?
Recreation of a virtual world in which people connect through virtual reality experiences / Meta The still-present pandemic has helped further reinforce the idea of living in a parallel virtual universe. At a time when the majority of the population has been locked up in their homes, it is not a bad idea to advance in the creation of a concept like the one proposed by Facebook. However, “living in the metaverse” is not something we will see in a few months . The company itself, despite its enthusiasm, is realistic.
Like the Internet, the metaverse exists whether Facebook is there or not. And it won't be built overnight. Many of these products will only be fully realized in the next 10-15 years.
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