If we look back, the internet was nothing but an imagination 25 years ago. People used to communicate via a dial-up medium, a landline phone that you’re depended on for interaction. Then things started evolving from introducing the latest technologies to switching to new devices.
Similarly, if we talk about social media, Facebook introduced its first informal community or social network 15 years ago. Presently, Facebook is one of the most significant companies in the world along with the two greatest social media platforms, WhatsApp and Instagram. These applications are utilized by billions of users and are one of the world’s socially connected businesses.
Now, Facebook has another name called “Meta”, and another motive- “the metaverse”. Now the important concerns are: what is the metaverse? What is meant by Facebook metaverse? & How it is related to augmented reality?
To find the answers and get rid of the confusion, you must continue reading. Because in this post, we have covered each and everything you need to know about this hot topic or new innovative idea.
So, without wasting time, let’s get straight into it.
The Term – Metaverse
The prefix “meta” is a Greek word that means “after” or “beyond”. By combining the term “meta” and “universe” we have “metaverse” that implies a spot that is beyond the world, one that exists in the virtual domain, yet feels the same as real. However, this concept is not new for us. If you have watched movies like Matrix, you can easily understand what it is: a virtual reality space that users can enter and access using some devices or gadgets.
Metaverse is a blend of different technology elements including augmented reality, virtual reality, and video where people “live” within a digital world. Metaverse supporters imagine their clients playing, working, and staying connected with people through a platform and can participate in everything from attending concerts to even enjoying trips virtually.
Some of that might seem similar to people who have spent this pandemic online and done their tasks via video calls. However, the vision for the metaverse is more than that, it will remind you of virtual worlds seen in movies.
Facebook Metaverse
According to Facebook, this is definitely not a virtual world, yet a three-dimensional space utilized and accessed by people in many different ways. Augmented reality glasses will be used to stay in the actual world and fully experience the stuff happening on the other side.
In short, it is a 3D, social virtual space where you can experience things with others, even when you are not with them in person. Also, you can do stuff together that you were unable to do in the physical world. Facebook strongly believes that the metaverse will be the next evolutional way of using the internet.
Motivation Behind Facebook Metaverse
Facebook recently called “meta”, a re-brand that highlights creating the “metaverse,” a common virtual space that it guarantees will be a huge replacement for the mobile internet. This new name comes while the world’s biggest social media platform was fighting criticisms from legislators regarding its algorithmic choices, market value, policing, and its services.
While interacting at the organization’s live-streamed AR conference, Mark Zuckerberg introduced the new change or name that showed the effort of metaverse investment which is way more than an ordinary social media platform called Facebook.
The business that has invested intensely in virtual and augmented reality, said the change will unite its multiple technologies and apps in a single new brand. Clearly, Facebook wants to be known as a metaverse organization rather than just a social media platform.
Facebook Metaverse Building into Augmented Reality
While talking about its investment plan, the company shared its $10 billion investment plan in Facebook Reality Labs for creating the metaverse this year. Also, they admitted that it will require years to materialize. “It isn’t here yet, however, some of its building blocks are here”, Mark Zuckerberg said.
The first step of this plan is Horizon, a virtual platform that can be accessed via its augmented reality or VR headset, Oculus. The organization had already launched Horizon Workrooms and Horizon Worlds, where people can interact in a virtual office setting. Also, they’ve launched Horizon Homes too, where people can invite over their friends or their social circle in their virtual home space.
Even you can make your own digital avatar, garments you really want to wear, and make your own reality, a sort of forerunner to the metaverse. If Zuckerberg guarantees his promises, the metaverse will be significantly more than this.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Vision
You can feel and meet people directly at that moment, even while playing in the same place with your friends, rather than via PCs or mobile phones. “Rather than just viewing at the screen, you can experience it”, Zuckerberg said.
One can make various digital avatars for home, office, and gaming with your own digital controllers just like your real ones. Just like how you explore the internet, you can have the option to move or transport from one place to another in the virtual world by clicking on a link.
It’s quite possible via computers, augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and with time even though your cell phones too.
While metaverse is not a reality now, it is expected to go standard, as Zuckerberg accepts, equipment will also play a significant part as it will serve as a gateway.
Modern equipment capacities empower the metaverse to be as near reality as could be expected, even movements or expressions mimic reality. This is what t the organization is endeavoring with Project Cambria, another VR headset where the focus is face-tracking and eye-tracking to make a stronger sense of presence.
In an interview with Ben Thompson, Zuckerberg said, “I guess a stronger virtual presence will be significant where you’re spending time with somebody.” This could be creating eye contact in VR and AR and making your digital avatar wince, frown, or smile just like you do in reality, which gives a strong sense of virtual presence.
The more real and exact you expect your digital avatar to be, the more sensors it would include for storing the user data. Simple!
Also, Zuckerberg said that the organization is doing more research on AR or VR impacts and are likewise working regarding human and social rights on these platforms or the networks.
Other Updates of Facebook Regarding Augmented Reality
As VR hits a critical point, Facebook is putting resources into the core technology and work required to introduce fully-featured AR glasses to the public. The organization says it has incorporated as much technology as possible into its gorgeous glasses and running after fully-featured AR glasses. The organization likewise claims to develop the capabilities, content, and networks that can enhance Facebook experiences today and enlighten the way to AR glasses ahead with the Spark AR platform.
Regarding augmented reality, Facebook has a lot of updates available for its Spark AR platform. Facebook is planning to introduce an iOS application named Polar that will allow users to plan their own AR objects and effects with no coding. It’s focused on creators who could utilize it to construct remarkable 3D objects or effects that their users can apply. Experienced users can likewise make geo-anchored objects that are associated with specific areas in reality, also AR effects that will track your body or hands.
Wrap Up
Metaverse might seem like a science fiction film, however, the reality is quite different. You will not be given specific powers or suits to get to this domain. Rather expect big VR headsets on eyes and augmented reality devices to enter this space. Initially, that is exactly how it is going to be like.
Now coming to the Facebook Metaverse, Facebook plays a significant role in the advancement of virtual reality. But they are just one player in this big industry. The same goes for the metaverse. Facebook might have changed their name to Meta, yet they are not the only organization involved. For example, Microsoft has introduced Microsoft Mesh, their adaptation of a virtual reality platform having similarities of the metaverse and its multiple definitions.
Many people believe that Metaphase will be the Internet’s future. Seeing the pattern of how we moved from big square-shaped PCs to little mobile screens, the shift to metaverse is a great opportunity to have. But not really quick! It might require some investment for it to complete in a full-fledged manner. It is additionally going to be an expensive task for a tech organization
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