Is there a thin line between the metaverse and virtual reality? Or is the metaverse a part of virtual reality?
Even after Facebook and Instagram have become metaverse apps, the term hasn’t become any clearer. Although Facebook changed its corporate name to meta in 2021, it is still a new term to many Facebook and Instagram users.
Many brands including Gucci and Nike are hooked on the idea of metaverse apps and create the best user experience for the customers.
What is Metaverse?
Every brand and every layman has its definition of the metaverse. No one is sure of the capabilities of the metaverse.
According to Mark Zuckerberg, the metaverse is the future of virtual reality and augmented reality. Although Neil Stephenson gave the term ‘Metaverse’ in 1992, it was not until recent years the term came into existence.
Metaverse is the talk of the hour. With the digital marketing hype, every company wants to grab the opportunity and make their website user-friendly.
Come to think of it, the metaverse cannot be defined as a single technology. It is rather a broad category of technology that is capable of taking the website to new realms of usability.
According to some technologists, it is the advanced version and a combination of virtual reality and augmented reality. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are not new terms.
Many games like Fortnite use VR and AR to create a seamless interaction between the user and the virtual world. So are they metaverse apps? Well, they certainly call themselves so.
But that is not all that the metaverse is capable of. Metaverse is also used to buy products using digital currency. You can even travel the world, sitting at home, viewing your favorite place at a 360° angle.
Have you ever thought of the virtual world being tangible? Well, it is called virtual reality for a reason. But the metaverse has even surpassed that myth.
The thin line between the metaverse and virtual reality (VR) is blurry. Most of the companies with virtual reality interactions have started to call themselves metaverse.
Metaverse has made it possible to interact with hundreds of people at the same time. But still does not give a clear idea of its base.
Metaverse in 2022
As said, the metaverse is not a single technology but the future of technologies. But with its unclear definition, is it possible to use it to its full potential?
Some of the listed popular uses of metaverse (or VR) provide an immersive user experience.
- Shopping
A better shopping experience in the comfort of home has increased the sales of online businesses. There is no need to spend hours in the market for single apparel.
Further, the metaverse has made this experience all the more exciting and close to real life.
You can easily build your avatar and try on the clothes sitting at your home.
- Education
The future of education is not possible without the metaverse. Amid the pandemic, all the educational institutes shifted to the virtual mode.
But lately, it is becoming an important aspect of education. Gaining knowledge and education is more crucial than the location.
Metaverse has made it easier to host a class with hundreds of students with the best professors around the world.
Metaverse Trend in 2023
Metaverse, though not having a clear future, has proven to enhance user experience.
Some technologists have assumed that the metaverse will help in many different sectors affecting human life.
- Advanced Avatar
We’ve been using avatars for a while now without even realizing it. For instance, in video games, we can create similar-looking avatars or create real-looking avatars in social media.
Metaverse has no doubt enhanced the earlier cartoon-looking avatar versions.
But with the metaverse’s potential, is that enough?
Maybe in 2023, metaverse will make it possible to develop avatars sounding and moving just like us.
Some movie makers have shown the possibility of talking to an operating system with all human feelings.
There is also a prediction that the future avatars would not need our guidance to function. The AI will enable them to work independently in the virtual world.
Human-like avatars would make it easier to test any medicines or vaccines before human consumption.
- Better VR and AR
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have brought real-life virtual experiences to existence.
But some are not of the highest quality and do not provide the best user experience.
For instance, wearing headsets to experience virtual reality can cause headaches when worn for a long duration.
Moreover, we need a virtual experience system that doesn’t make us look like dorks in public places.
There is also a possibility of full-body suits that creates a consumer metaverse experience. Do you think there is a possibility of introducing the sense of smell and touch to virtual experiences?
- Holographic Experiences
Computer-generated holography has made it possible to see three-dimensional aspects of objects and characters.
The images and videos are no longer constricted to the screens.
With the metaverse, it is possible to attend virtual events like real events. The 360° view gives a live experience to the viewer.
The users can also make a purchase and interact with other users with the meta platform.
Holographic devices are becoming more popular among gamers.
However, the metaverse can make things more interesting. Do you think it will be possible to feel and touch the holograms in the future?
Major Takeaways
Metaverse is new-age technology, although its potential is not yet clear.
Technological advancements never stop. And it sometimes can be hectic to stay updated with all the new technology.
While 2022 has seen some great new technologies with electric vehicles and new social media updates, 2023 has some more exciting stuff in store.
Data centers and blockchains have some new technologies coming in 2023- the ones that would not waste any valuable resources.
The Blogging Hacks have some latest blog updates on social media and new trends in the digital market.