Metaverse - The Latest Technology Yet
Metaverse - The Latest Technology Yet
You might have heard of the term "Metaverse," haven't you? Perhaps you're now envisioning the glasses worn to navigate a specific virtual technological world. However, you might not know where this technology originated from, what it exactly entails, and how it fundamentally works, right? Don't worry, in this article, I'll elucidate much about the Metaverse to familiarize you with this new technology.
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What is the Metaverse?
Firstly, let me clarify that the term "Metaverse" consists of two parts: "Meta," meaning "beyond," and "verse," derived from the word "Universe," conveying "beyond the universe." This succinctly defines the Metaverse, which is a virtual world programmed with specific technologies, constituting a three-dimensional virtual environment where humans interact with each other through virtual personas known as avatars. Users navigate this virtual world through their avatars, interacting with other users.
It's worth noting that the term "Metaverse" originated in the 1990s, precisely in 1992, in a sci-fi novel titled "Snow Crash" by the author Neal Stephenson. Originally a fictional story, it marked the first appearance of the term "Metaverse," and since then, it has been used to describe virtual worlds.
What technologies are used in the Metaverse?
I can't delve into all the technologies in detail because the Metaverse comprises a wide mix of modern technologies, networks, and others. However, I'll outline some key components:
- Virtual Reality (VR) technology: This technology creates a three-dimensional environment where users interact, usually through peripheral equipment such as VR headsets, gloves, and shoes equipped with touch sensors to track movement and reactions.
- Augmented Reality (AR): AR technology overlays digital elements that users can interact with onto real-world scenes, rather than virtual ones.
- Mixed Reality (MR): Combining elements of both virtual and augmented reality, MR allows interaction in the real world with digital elements added in augmented reality, providing a higher level of interaction than AR alone.
- Extended Reality (XR): An environment that encompasses the previous points by integrating them, enhancing interaction with various technologies together.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI and machine learning are also among the most powerful technologies today, entering various aspects of life, including virtual reality. AI can place specific objects or entities that interact based on user input or specific interactions, providing responses or values based on information provided to these virtual objects or entities, interacting autonomously. However, this poses potential risks, such as unexpected reactions, unless given limited expansion capabilities.
There are many other technologies involved, such as networking, security measures, cyber security, digital signatures, robots, blockchain, cloud storage, and more.
Uses of the Metaverse
- Video Games: Playing video games through VR technology allows users to interact with the virtual game world, providing a more immersive gaming experience.
- Social Interaction: Creating virtual environments for users to meet and communicate, whether for casual conversations or specific interactions.
- E-commerce: Virtual stores exist, albeit still rare, allowing users to browse and shop in virtual environments.
- Education: Virtual classrooms contribute to enhancing effective communication between teachers and students, offering a different learning experience, especially in situations like the COVID-19 pandemic, which shifted learning to remote settings.
What do I need to access the Metaverse?
You'll need some tools to access and interact in the virtual world:
- VR headset: This essential tool enables you to see the virtual world and interact with it.
- Metaverse-supporting application: It could be an app for accessing conversations in a virtual world, a virtual learning platform, a game, and more.
- Peripheral equipment: These are tools required for interaction in the world based on usage, such as weapons with touch-sensitive sensors for interaction in virtual worlds or motion controllers for controlling and interacting with interfaces for purchases or writing, among others.
Leading Companies Supporting Metaverse Technology
Meta: Formerly known as Facebook, Meta has caused a significant stir in its support for Metaverse technology. The company is developing a giant computer capable of handling millions of operations to efficiently run the Metaverse.
NVIDIA: Another supporter of this technology, NVIDIA has developed a supporting program for the Metaverse called Omniverse.
Apple: Apple joined the supporters of this technology by launching a version of its virtual reality glasses, Vision Pro, in February 2024. This caused quite a sensation due to the features it offers to users. Perhaps you've seen in some sci-fi movies the presence of popping devices or graphical interfaces hovering in front of a person, allowing control over data access or systems. These glasses enable users to do the same by visualizing these interfaces and controlling access to music, interacting with certain elements of virtual reality, or providing a broader vision and access to social media platforms. I'll soon be writing a dedicated article about these new glasses.
Unity: Essential in developing games that support augmented and virtual reality, Unity provides three-dimensional interaction for players to enhance their experience.
Amazon: A giant in e-commerce, Amazon has focused on developing three dimensional games that enhance virtual reality for users and enable interaction between them. In the future, they might develop a virtual version of the Amazon store for users to access and make purchases.
Conclusion
Metaverse technology enjoys significant support from numerous global institutions and major companies, still undergoing experimentation in various aspects and countries. However, it becomes increasingly complex and supportive of essential future aspects, such as advanced 5G networks and even the development of 6G in some countries like China. Additionally, technologies like blockchain and browsing through Web 3, which relies on blockchain, are supported. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful addition developed for us to benefit from and improve various aspects of life. It provides me with optimism that this technology may contribute to improving the lives of people with special needs. Frankly, I see it as a very important technology that should be significantly developed. Now you can enjoy it through gaming, shopping from virtual stores, or interacting with others.
