The news about Facebook’s new tech is everywhere and it is a heated conversation in every corner of the internet. What is metaverse? Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced the change of his company’s Mother brand name from Facebook to Meta.
In October 2021, Meta revamped its brand name to something new. The general brand name that houses Facebook and every other subordinate product is owned by Mark Zuckerberg. The name ‘Facebook’ won’t change nor will other of its sister apps e.g. Instagram, and WhatsApp.
The metaverse as we know so far is an immersive world that will allow users to do so much that they couldn’t do on the internet before now. It is a mixed reality of the real world with the immersive world of 3D.
When the internet was invented in 1993, basically it was just us looking through the tiny windows of our mobile devices, playing around with texts and images, videos weren’t really on the menu at that time. And then, a time came when things moved up the ladder and social media was invented which enabled us to connect with our loved ones regardless of where we are in the world, we could watch YouTube, share images, and even have a face to face calls with friends and family.
But today, things have changed for the better. With the help of the new cutting-edge technology, we could do more than just text, call, and connect with friends on social media. Infact we could be able to do it today like we are right there at the moment with them. The Metaverse has filled in the gap that has been depriving us of connecting with people realistically, it has made it possible to make it feel just as if we are right there at the moment with whoever we are communicating with on the internet using VR and AR technology.
The Metaverse will enable us to be able to be wherever we want to be even without us moving an inch or stepping out from our home or comfort zone.
With the help of VR glasses and AR (Augmented reality) technology, we can be able to explore the immersive 3D world seamlessly. We could be able to carry out tasks, visit friends in their virtual space, play games or even attend our favorite gym class.
You could be in your home space and yet be hanging out with friends at a concert or party event, work from home would be made so much easier, even while you are putting on your favorite sweatpants. Just imagine the cool stuff you could do with this immersive tech invention, the endless possibilities that we weren’t able to achieve a few years ago but now we can with the help of Meta.
Here comes the big question
What Can We Do In The Metaverse
Well, there is an endless list of activities that can be done in the metaverse and more lists of other possibilities are yet to be included as time goes on. The metaverse will be a place for connecting with people, having fun, and managing your work schedules at your fingertips. we could connect with friends and family more effectively, and also if you are interested in the business aspect of the digital economy there are always NFT assets to buy and make money with.
But first, we need to start with the most important. which is – connecting people.
Horizon Home
The horizon home is a virtual 3D space where users can create digital homes and then invite their friends over to come to hang out with them. with people being the center point of this invention, there is a need for making the possible modification of characters or avatars to look like their real-life models.
This is why it was made possible for users to be able to choose avatars that match their real-life appearance and also the wardrobe isn’t excluded just in case you are the fashion enthusiast type.
Friends you invite to join you in your horizon home space can also join you to do fun activities like playing games, and watching movies. In the horizon home, you can bring in items from the real world into your digital home space, virtually anything that can be supported digitally- videos, pictures, books, artworks, and so on.
Horizon Worlds
The horizon world is a place o the metaverse where you can create your world just how you like it and invite your friends into it. The horizon would allow users to create worlds where friends can join them and play games and do other sorts of fun-filled activities. In your horizon world, privacy is taken into so much consideration.
When active in your world, you can decide to enjoy your private time all by yourself by getting into your private bubble, doing this will make you inactive to other users to interact with and you can as well get out from your private bubble to rejoin friends in the fun-filled world anytime.
Games
In the Metaverse, gaming is no exception. In fact, gaming was said to be one of the most important parts of the metaverse. With your VR glasses which are supported with AR technology, you could be able to play immersive games that appear like you are right inside of them. For this reason game manufacturers like “Epic Games- the maker of Fortnite”, Minecraft and Roblox are pitching into this project and they are making VR/AR games to be more fun in the metaverse.
Imagine the feeling you’d get being inside of a video game concert like that of “Fornite” which was held inside of the game itself and featured artists like Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, and Marshmello. extraordinary isn’t it? That’s the kind of experience Meta wants you to experience.
Business
Business In the Metaverse will be much different than how we used to know it, business and companies will be able to introduce a digital means of reaching their customers online. Buying and selling products and services will be made possible through the use of NFT or other forms of cryptocurrency.
However, in the metaverse, transactions will be primarily powered using digital currency, which is known as MANA.
More forms of currencies will be later released by their respective creators in the nearest future. Transaction will require users to have their digital wallets set up. This wallet is what will enable users to store their currencies made from any digital sales or transaction and later be converted into real-life money.
Sport
The body needs to be exercised from time to time. for this reason, the metaverse will be taking sports into high consideration. You will be able to join your friends and family, play chess or even challenge users halfway across the world in the game of tennis seamlessly. With the help of AR technology, sports activities would feel like you are right inside of them, imagine playing basketball with friends on Facebook, chess, a boxing match, and even cycling. All are made possible with the help of AR and VR technology.
NFT
It’s no news that NFTs are going to be so valued and will play a very big role in the metaverse, infact most of the digital properties that will be used or owned in the metaverse will mostly be NFT assets – fashion, images, arts, pieces of virtual land that will be used for building worlds in the universe and so many others.
NFT transactions between two users will be protected with the Ethereum blockchain network, all payments made will be transferred to a digital wallet with their unique ID and later then converted to real money.
Will The Metaverse Be Available Soon
The metaverse isn’t fully active at the moment, but there is a Beta mode available to be tested by users that have been granted access. We will be expecting the full experience of the metaverse in the nearest future. According to Mark Zuckerberg, he said the metaverse will be released with its full experience in the next 5 to 10 years.
For users to be able to experience this immersive world, they need to be prepared with fast speed broadband connection. I guess this is where the 5G network will come in handy, and a pair of the Meta’s Oculus Quest 2 VR glasses will be needed to access the metaverse and all of its glory.
Will The Metaverse Be Free
The metaverse will absolutely be free for users, you just need your account created on Facebook or maybe a special account for metaverse premium access. Your Facebook account could also be linked to your Meta account but choices can be made on if it is going to be a business account or a personal account linking. Sometimes we might decide to keep business matters off from public notice or maybe just for personal reasons.
Who Can Use The Metaverse
Anyone can use the metaverse but the user must be over 18 years of age.
Will The Metaverse Bring New Businesses
I will give a resounding YES to this question. The metaverse will create a lot of jobs online jobs, these jobs come from various companies and brands that are willing to harness the full metaverse economy.
For the early birds who have started planning on moving their business over to the metaverse, it will be favorable to them because, over a short period, spaces for new business owners to check in won’t be available as it is now.
Expects to see new online jobs like;
- Asset advisor
- Lawyers
- Fashion Stylist
- Producers
- Writers
- Tour Guides
- Actors
These are just a few of so many others.
What brand are in the metaverse?
Brands are always looking for ways to expand their market to reach a more broader audience and the metaverse has made this one step closer. various brands are already gushing in and setting up their virtual stores, communities, and shops so that their real-world clients could also enjoy the immersive experience of the metaverse. we have companies like-
- Nike
- Zara
- Gucci
- Stella Artois
- Adidas
- Atari
- Burberry
- Forever 21
- Vans
- Ralph Lauren
- Tommy Hilfiger
- Balenciaga