What is The Metaverse and What Does it Mean for Social Media Users
Yes, Ready Player One has now taken manifestation in the real world as of 2021.
I’m just kidding, but a very similar experience is now accessible for people around the world and that is the virtual reality announcement Facebook came out with on October 28, 2021. On that day Facebook announced a complete company rebranded dedicated towards steering aways from being primarily known as a social media platform.
Facebook announced its rebrand with many visuals and representations that their rebrand consisted of.
Essentially, none of the pre existing platforms created by Meta were going aware, they were just expanding into the virtual reality technological space to mold all of their existing platforms and partner platforms into this one online 3D experience.
What is Meta?
You may be reading the introduction and still confused on what exactly Meta is so I am going to go into detail about what essentially every new found word means in this rebrand announcement.
Meta is the rebranded name of Facebook. Formally, the company is called Meta Platforms Inc. but it is being advertised for short as solely Meta.
Meta’s intentions appear to be a space dedicated to creating virtual connectivity between brands and users with a more immersive and customizable experience for its users. A primary variable with the creation of the Metaverse will be the integration, collaboration and partnership agreements to utilize aspects of the Meta.
For some business owners, the regulation of the Meta has been a prime topic of decision. Being that the experience is meant to replicate real life experiences, in order to access these users you would hav to abide by the rules of the Meta almost as an additional world, country, city or state.
Many people within these conversations also point out how this consideration also ties into the organization conflict of public interest and influence Facebook was accused of by a Whistler blower just a few months prior to this rebrand.
Although Meta has been expressing the clear, concise and moral intentions they have behind Meta, people will have inevitable hesitations due to lack of proper knowledge on the realm.
How Do You Access Meta?
This is the question that many began to get confused with in the beginning of the launch, thus sparking immense fear on Facebook. People assumed with the rebrand came changes to Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp. There have been many upgrades to the platforms following the rebrand, but the actual virtual reality does not yet reside on these platforms.
To better understand this confusion you have to understand that Meta and Metaverse are just umbrella terms for numerous things going on within thin corporation. There are numerous business entities being run under Meta Platforms Inc. thus confusing those not aware of this name change.
In order to access the Metaverse you need to have Oculus.
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What is Oculus?
Oculus is the actual device that allows you to see or be in the Metaverse. To be simple, this is the virtual reality equipment that you buy and put on to see the Metaverse in real time. Without this device you are never technically in the Metaverse which is an important point that many do not know about Metaverse. Even though you have a Facebook account does not mean you are automatically in the Metaverse.
Image Source: MetaQuest
Until you have a device and account with Oculus you cannot create your Metaverse account.
Oculus equipment can be purchased on the MetaQuest website and includes: Eye goggles, two hand held devices and necessary charging equipment.
There have already been numerous versions of Oculus launched and they have numerous plans to expand and evolve as the Metaverse forms.
What is currently working in the Metaverse?
This rebrand is still a brand new development to the online technological space, and there have been many drawbacks in the launch of Meta.
To understand some of these drawbacks we must first talk about the initial virtual space Meta has already launched called Horizon Metaverse. This is the virtual reality communication space primarily dedicated to work rooms and virtual meetings between curated avatars in the space. Many people have been utilizing this platform for the past year during the pandemic to conduct global meetings and Covid safe meetings within organizations.
There have of course been some complaints about the system in that the equipment needed to attend these virtual meetings can be bothersome and delayed on response time in the Horizon Work Rooms.
Another drawback for people has been the necessary upgrades to equipment that end up in high investments in Metaverse technology. They are already working on an additional headset recreation similar to Oculus to referred to as the high end version of Oculus when many have yet to even experience their primary launch.
How are all of these online realities created on the Metaverse?
The platform in which engineers can customize and create content within the Metaverse is called Omniverse. This is an open beta development software for 3D simulation and design collaboration.
Essentially, this is how businesses will be able to integrate themselves into the Metaverse as it evolves. Omniverse runs as the foundation for the Metaverse to run and develop its graphics.
There are already reports of over 40 million engineers on the Omniverse beta and is now being rolled out for general accessibility.
With the expansion of technology will inevitably come more online spaces for businesses to further capture consumers and create unique experiences for their brand. There are already numerous businesses utilizing the Omniverse technology within their organization for technological benefits. As many businesses see the benefits in the integration of the Metaverse, as marketers, researchers, creators and entrepreneurs we have to be aware of the potential dangers of this advancement.
What does this mean for social media users and business owners?
Overall, with the expansion of virtual reality spaces we are definitely going to see advertisers and marketers stressing some attention towards how to promote themselves within the Metaverse. That can come in numerous forms which we will probably see in the near future but essentially businesses will have another space create sales and traffic to their brand.
Influencers may have unique potential within the Metaverse to evolve their influence into the Metaverse in some group like format. I can definitely see Instagram integrating itself in some way with the Metaverse to create a unique experience.
One of the main things to prepare for with this technological advancement is going to be data protection literacy for all internet users.
I plan to create a post and video around data protection for business owners, creators and consumers next so stay tuned. Protecting your data and personal information is going to become more important than ever in the next few years. The value of your information for businesses, marketers and advertisers is what makes a lot of online spaces high converting sales.
Understanding how to protect who sees your information and who can access your information is going to play a huge role in the advancement of online spaces.
Stay informed and educated on all things social media to ensure you are utilizing it as a tool to assist you in your life rather than hinder you.
I’m in your corner.
-Serenity, The Serene Corner LLC
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