Big Tech Companies are planning to build a Metaverse; so what exactly is it?

Recently, we have had the word metaverse flung around the media, coupled with the news that some tech companies are coming together to build a virtual world.  Some have even described it as what is to come after the internet.

What exactly is the metaverse?  Coined from two words Meta (beyond) and Verse (universe), the metaverse is a virtual world, a non-physical world where individuals can interact through the use of diverse virtual technologies. The word first appeared in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science fiction book “Snow Crash” where humans, as avatars, interact with each other and software agents, in a three-dimensional virtual space that uses the metaphor of the real world.

The metaverse when created would allow different individuals around the world to virtually and with the means of technology meet up, go on vacations, play games and even work together. The latest Metaverse stats say that it would allow for a borderless world of social interactions which would allow people to stay connected at all times regardless of distance.

Though there are virtual worlds already created, the Metaverse is unique, as it would bring all virtual worlds together as a single, absolute entity.

The basic technologies that would be used in creating this virtual world are basically virtual reality and augmented reality; however, more innovative technologies could spring up.

Some of the big players involved include prominently, Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, who had previously referred to the metaverse as the next generation of the internet and revealed that it is the next chapter for his company. Facebook has invested a lot of money trying to develop the best of VR and AR technologies particularly in the development of headsets to create the most realistic virtual interactions possible.

Google also has been building VR and AR tools to connect the digital and physical worlds. In its bid to be a part of this next big tech agenda, Google developed the Google Lens which allows an individual to use a device’s camera to capture an object. This technology leverages image recognition and Google’s search system to describe an object and give details about it.

Apple also is developing smart glasses that could be launched in 2022 and a few months ago, Microsoft announced the launch of metaverse apps, to help business users of its Azure cloud computing service combine virtual and physical elements.

Whenever it is created, the metaverse would sure impact our lives. Many people will be able to transport themselves to digital environments that feel very real like parks, stadiums, and even attend concerts. On other hand, there are fears; fears of addiction. Many people are already battling addictions to various social media platforms and other technologies. A metaverse, many fear could increase the level of addiction as many may get themselves caught in a virtual world which they do not want to exit.