You’ve probably heard of the term “the Metaverse” – it’s been a topic of conversation since Facebook’s rebrand to Meta back in late 2021. You wouldn’t be alone in wondering what on earth it is all about, however. Whilst the Metaverse is in its early stages, we’re going to fill you in with the main need-to-knows, so you can get a better understanding of it.
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1 – What is the Metaverse?
Simply put, think of the Metaverse as a more physical form of the internet – a virtual space where you can interact with a computer-generated environment and others users in a digital universe.
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Meta, described it as “an internet you’re inside of, rather than just looking at”.
2 – Who is using it?
Right now, the Metaverse is in its early stages, so only a handful of people are using it. If the vision is met, you could see large companies using the digital universe in a number of ways, such as virtual office buildings and meeting rooms, to supermarkets and fashion retail.
3 – Will I be living in the Metaverse soon?
In short, probably not. Again, it is in the early stages, with a lot of hype surrounding it. But don’t be surprised when you start hearing more about it on a regular basis.
4 – When can I use it?
Founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, predicts that within the next three years, most virtual meetings will take place using digital avatars within the Metaverse. Whether this is the case for small to medium business remains unclear, but for the big, world-wide businesses, this could become reality.
5 – How do I access it?
In order to access the Metaverse, you’ll need to own a virtual reality headset.
In a predicted forecast by IDC, it is estimated that shipments of VR headsets will hit almost 30 million by 2025. With that being three years from now, it does fall into the time frame suggested by Bill Gates.
6 – What will it look like?
At the moment, one of the main highlights of the Metaverse is the virtual spaces designed for work and collaboration. Think animated avatars in animated boardrooms. This video from Horizon Workrooms gives a better representation than any words could.
7 – Should I be doing anything to prepare?
Right at this moment in time, we’d say no. The grand vision is still some way off from becoming reality. With that said though, we would recommend keeping up to speed with it all, as we’re sure it will integrate into everyday life one way or another.
We’d love to hear what your thoughts are on the Metaverse and whether it is something you want to get involved in. Head over to our latest Metaverse post on LinkedIn and share your thoughts.
