Tech companies, both emerging and large, are developing what is known as "metaverse", a new trend that could become the "new generation of the Internet" that will allow people to communicate in more realistic virtual environments, transcending the physical and social restrictions that exist in today's world.
Metaverse is a series of endless interconnected virtual worlds where people can meet, work and play together, using virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses, smartphone apps or other devices.
Facebook intends to employ 10,000 people from European Union countries in the next five years to work on developing the world of "Metavirus", which will be a "post-internet phase", according to Reuters.
The realization of that virtual space has become more realistic after the development of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), during the past years.
The word is used in the world of virtual games, where users have a character who can roam and interact with other players, and is also used in the "Blockchain" world where virtual lands and cryptocurrency can be purchased.
The novelty that companies seek to develop is to communicate with others, in all walks of life, without physical obstacles, in a virtual world.
This idea was the focus of science fiction books and films that created alternative digital worlds that are indistinguishable from the real physical world, but remain fiction, as well as most virtual spaces in today's world that are still more like a video game than real.
People currently interact with each other online through websites, social media platforms or messaging applications, but the idea of "Metaverse" lies in creating new spaces on the Internet in which people's interactions can be multidimensional, where users can immerse themselves in digital content rather than just watch it.
It is like reviving the Internet, or at least presenting it in 3D, says The Associated Press.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg described it as a "virtual environment" that you can enter instead of just looking at it on the screen.
This environment will enable people to go to virtual concerts, take a trip online, and buy and try on digital clothes. The idea of working from home can be enhanced by seeing co-workers virtually in a more realistic way.
"It's the next evolution of connectivity where all of these things begin to converge in a seamless and similar world, so you live your virtual life the same way you live your physical life," Victoria Petrok, an analyst who tracks emerging technologies, told The Associated Press.
Great interest
The accelerated interest in “Metavirus” came in response to the increased demand for remote work and study during the Covid pandemic, and the increasing need to make online interaction more realistic.
The idea has attracted the interest of companies and investors who are keen to be part of this new trend.
Zuckerberg said in July that the company would try to transition from being a social media company to a Metaverse company within the next five years.
Microsoft seeks to bring the past and digital worlds closer, and the popular children's game "Roblox" said it sees "Metaverse" as a place "that enables people to meet in millions of three-dimensional experiences to learn, work, play, create and socialize." The game "Fortnite", about a billion dollars from investors to help with its plans to build the world of "Metaverse".
And big fashion companies made virtual clothes. In June, Italian fashion house Gucci teamed up with ROBLOX to sell a range of digital accessories.
Merging worlds
Companies that have entered the field are seeking ways to bring the worlds of Metaverse together. The Associated Press said tech companies still have to figure out how to connect their online platforms to each other.
Analyst Petroc said that to make this world work, competing technology platforms need to agree on a set of standards, so there are no “people in Facebook Metaverse” and other people in “Microsoft Metaverse”.
“A lot of the Metaverse experience will be about being able to teleport from one experience to the next,” Zuckerberg said.
Fears
Despite these hopes, there are many concerns about a new world on the Internet linked to Facebook, which may gain access to more personal data of users and may fail to stop harmful content. The company has already said that it will take 10 to 15 years to develop responsible products.
The Associated Press says there are concerns that Zuckerberg will "embrace" the idea, given that enthusiasts believe it should free people from platforms like Facebook.
“We want to be able to navigate online easily, but we also want to be able to navigate online without being tracked or monitored,” said investor Steve Jang, partner at Kindred Ventures.
Some wonder if this new trend from Facebook is an attempt to distract attention from the company's crises.
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