Why 2022 will mark the start of the shift from mobile to metaverse
By Sahil Chopra
The agile nature of disruptive innovations has changed the course of consumer behavior away from conventionality. As a result, the world is faster than ever to test new technologies and soon incorporate them into their way of life.
The ever-changing mobile landscape has succeeded in bridging the gap between consumers and their needs to a great extent. Ease of use and unparalleled mobility allow users to stay connected to the world while on the go. Mobile traffic first beat its desktop counterpart in 2016, and the trend has continued to this day. The benefits of owning a handheld device have made the world never go back to their desktop computers. In February 2022, 57.38% of all web traffic came from mobile phones. Every business today starts by launching their mobile website and is active across all mobile channels.
The pandemic led to several restrictions and leaving home had become almost impossible. Home confinement had significantly disrupted the market. Today, you can hang out with friends and family and play ludo while scuba diving in the ocean, all without leaving the comfort of your home.
We are about to leap into the future and embrace the shift from mobile to metaverse. Metaverse was created by author Neal Stephenson in 1992. It is a network of 3D virtual worlds that bring people together, allowing them to work, play and interact using virtual avatars. The 3D virtual world of the metaverse will allow users to socialize, explore geographies, invest in real estate, participate in events, design and auction digital art. Metaverse is the start of a new era for the Internet. However, we have not yet exploited its full potential. Tech giants like Meta, Epic Games, Microsoft, Roblox, and more are working to forge their own metaverses. These 3D virtual worlds take advantage of cutting-edge digital technologies, from virtual reality to blockchain.
Currently, metaverse solutions are based on readily available technological gadgets such as computers. However, for a fully immersive experience, you must have access to a VR-compatible headset. However, with our advancements in the digital world, we are on the verge of a breakthrough in computer-generated holography applications, which could displace the need for headsets. Additionally, tech-focused companies are also innovating haptic gloves that will allow users to interact with 3D virtual objects and make the virtual experience more immersive with movement, texture, and pressure. Prior to the pandemic, the metaverse had garnered little to no attention. From businesses to individuals, the pandemic has driven all of us to work on creating remote and connected experiences. Metaverse could be the answer to all the physical limitations of a post-covid world. The virtual ecosystem will bring new ways to collaborate and accelerate remote learning. The rise in metaverse adaptation is sure to bring new job opportunities and shape a new social infrastructure.
Why should companies pay attention to the metaverse?
Investing in the metaverse is the key to securing a lucrative future for your business. One of the most interesting facets of the metaverse is that it is tied to the blockchain. The metaverse will be a platform for exchanging digital assets for digital currencies, driving the new economy. According to a report by Nonfungible.com, trade in NFTs reached $17.6 billion last year, registering a 21,000% increase from 2020. In 2021, people made a total of 5.4 billions of dollars in profits from the sale of NFTs.
You are likely to find your potential customers in the metaverse. The new generation is growing up with virtual reality headsets and spending most of their time in virtual universes such as PUBG and GTA Online. If brands want to engage this tech-savvy part of the public, they will need to find them where they are.
Metaverse is relatively new technology and will take some time to engage the world. However, the metaverse will also bring challenges, such as the inability to manage time and distinguish between the virtual world and the real world. We haven’t seen how the metaverse will change our lives yet, but it will certainly change the way we interact with technology.
The author is founder and CEO of iCubesWire. The opinions expressed are personal.
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