Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Has Left A Lot Of Us Very Confused. So What The Hell Is It?
Facebook’s latest mission to rebrand itself as the “Metaverse” has led some to believe that they’re on their way to a dystopian Matrix-like future where Mark Zuckerberg reigns supreme and the citizens are trapped in a hallucination of reality. This isn’t quite right but I can understand why people would think that. So what actually is the Metaverse and how will it change the future of social media?
What Zuckerberg What it
wants us to think actually is
the metaverse is pic.twitter.com/KbVkVT2yOi— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) October 30, 2021
First of all “Meta” is the new brand name for Facebook. Zuckerberg says that the name change is because Facebook is the name of the specific social media site and is not representative of the realm of apps and social media sites that Facebook owns.
Some changes with Meta include their financial reporting, as they plan to report on two operating segments as of their fourth quarter: Family of Apps and Reality Labs. They also plan on trading under the new stock sticker “Meta” by December 1st. However none of this will change how Meta shares data.
Now, the Metaverse, according to Zuckerberg, “is a new phase of interconnected virtual experiences using technologies like virtual and augmented reality.”
“It’s the next evolution in a long line of social technologies, and it’s ushering in a new chapter for our company.”
The Metaverse will be a hybrid of today’s Facebook owned online social media experiences, an interactive embodied internet where people aren’t just staring at a screen, but living in a virtual reality with their friends, families and peers.
“In this future, you will be able to teleport instantly as a hologram to be at the office without a commute, at a concert with friends, or in your parents’ living room to catch up,” said Zuckerberg.
But how will the Metaverse actually function? Well the first thing you’ll see when you put on your headset is your Horizon Home.
This space can be whatever you want it to be. It could be an exact replication of your actual home or it could be a snowy cabin on the top of a mountain, but it will be the first space you experience when you enter the Metaverse.
The Horizon Home can also exist as a home workspace, something Zuckerberg believes will both be the future of working from home and environmentally friendly.
“Over the last year and a half, a lot of us who work in offices have gone remote. And while I miss seeing the people I work with I think remote work is here to stay for a lot of people. So we’re gonna need better tools to work together.”
“Imagine if you could be at the office without the commute. You would still have that sense of presence, shared physical space, those chance interactions that make your day all accessible from anywhere. Now imagine that you have your perfect work set up and you can actually do more than you could in your regular work set up.”
Another aspect of the metaverse is Horizon Worlds: a VR space where users can build worlds and jump into them with people. Playing games, hanging out or even throwing a virtual surprise party will all be a possibility in the Metaverse with Horizon Worlds, according to Meta.
Now Meta plans to subsidise the cost of VR devices so the Metaverse isn’t a niche cyberspace for the ultrawealthy. They want to maximise the creator economy and reduce fees where possible.
It goes without saying that the Metaverse is a great way to capitalise on Meta’s acquisition of Oculus a few years ago, but it’s also an interesting way for consumers to utilise it. While VR seems like a niche technology for only those who want to ride a rollercoaster from home or experience a new gaming reality, the metaverse will create a social dimension that VR hasn’t seen much of before.
Meta has announced plans in the future to provide a multitude of features to the metaverse. Presence Platform, an immersive mixed-reality platform, Interaction SDK, allowing developers to add high quality hand interactions to their apps, Project Cambria, an advanced version of the Metaverse, and Nazarre Glasses, the first full-augmented reality glasses, are some of the announcements for the future of the metaverse.
As to whether the Metaverse will completely revolutionise the future of social media, or if we have another Google Glass situation on our hands is something we’ll have to find out, nonetheless I’m excited to see where this takes us.
Latest News
TV Ratings (18/04/2024): I’m A Celebrity Wins Prime Time And Key Demos
Aussie viewers can be a harsh lot at times. Only days after Ellie Cole bled her heart out, she has been sent packing.
Effie&co Launches New ConnectAsia Division To Help Aussie Brands Market To Asian Consumers Overseas & At Home
Not provided is advice on using chopsticks and not spilling ramen down your shirt.
Cashrewards Sets Out Stall For New CMO
Thinking of applying for the Cashrewards CMO gig? Here are some insider tips that, yes, are tantamount to cheating.
‘I Ask For The TV Industry To Stand Up And Defend Itself’ – Seven Boss James Warburton Steps Down
The Seven supremo heads for the exits after five years. Here's hoping the Spotlight team organised the farewell bash.
Poh! Jamie! Adriano! Paramount ANZ reveals its tasty plans for this year’s MasterChef
It's your fan's guide to this year's MasterChef! Although no tips on how to pronounce crudités or use a un fait-tout.
Dentsu’s iProspect Partners With MOOD Tea Ahead Of May Campaign Launch
We love a Mood Tea here at B&T. Although we do store old screws and nails in the International Roast caterer's tin.
Opinion: When Culture Starts Eating Itself: Navigating The Age Of Self-eating Nostalgia
Born boss David Coupland asks is adland going through a nostalgia period? But please, no repeats of Best Of Red Faces.
Who’s Going To Cannes?! The TikTok Young Lions Winners!
It's Aussie adland's next gen! They're off to Cannes with high hopes of bringing back a Lion & a foot-long Toblerone.
Adobe Launches Express Mobile App With Firefly AI
Want to be the coolest kid at Friday staff drinks but forgot your retro Nikes? This new Adobe wizardry may do the trick.
ThinkNewsBrands & IMAA Extend News Publishing Education In Brisbane
Industry duo takes its publishing roadshow to Brisbane. Was disappointed no male attendees were wearing walk socks.
B&T Chats With Wavemaker’s Provocative Pioneers On Their Cross-Pacific Sojourn
B&T TV heads to Wavemaker's Sydney digs to interview two staffers from its New York & LA digs. If that makes sense?
HoMie & Champion Launch “Give One. Get One” Campaign Supporting Youth Homelessness Via Town Square
Much like the fête's prized chutney wears a blue winners sash, so too should this top initiative from HoMie & Champion.
Thinkerbell Takes Us Back To Summer In Latest Work For XXXX
This beer ad wants to take you back to summer! Just minus any chance of a shark attack on your morning bus commute.
Cannes Lions Unveils 2024 Programme Featuring Queen Latifah, Jay Shetty & P&G’s Mark Pritchard
Are you one of the lucky ducks heading to Cannes in June? Check out the headliner acts you'll be queueing hours to see.
Scroll Media Recruits Costa Panagos From Twitch
Costa Panagos set to bring South American flair to the Scroll offices. Assuming that he is, indeed, South American.
Year13, Microsoft & KPMG Australia Launch AI Course For Gen Zs
Born around the 2000s? Need to amp up your AI creds? This guide's for you (although it's not really that age specific).
General Motors Snares Heath Walker From Scania
Do you rage about oversized American cars on our roads? You need to bail up Heath Walker at parties & industry events.
VML Launches New “Envoyage” Brand For Flight Centre
VML unveils new brand for travel operator Flight Centre. Alas, no sign of those paid actors pretending to be pilots.
Subaru Places Media Account Up For Review
Subaru puts media up for review, as adland journos get set for mandatory "agency drives off with..." headline.
TV Ratings (17/04/2024): Contestants Faced With Harsh Realities As Alone Australia Heats Up (Or Cools Down)
Alone still doing the business for SBS. Overly long train journeys not doing the business, but they persist anyway.
Ben Fordham Loses Number One Spot As Ray Hadley Celebrates 156th Ratings Win
The radio numbers are in! Discover who's off for a boozy lunch today & who's waiting for the dreaded HR death knock.
Gourmet Ice Cream Brand Connoisseur Launches New “Thrill Your Senses” Iteration, Via SICKDOGWOLFMAN
Rattling the old "truth in advertising" adage comes this ice-cream spot full of noticeably thin people.
Paramount’s Global Sales Boss: ‘Australia’s Converged Model Is A Blueprint For How I’d Like All Of Our Markets To Be’
Paramount's global sales boss gives local sales ops the thumbs up. Didn't weigh-in on the Lisa Wilkinson debacle.
TikTok Starts Testing Its Instagram Rival In Australia
In exciting news for piano playing cats & brattish pranks in shopping centres, TikTok unveils its Insta rival plans.
Man Wrongly Named By Seven As Bondi Killer Hires Lawyers
Struggling to save for a house deposit? Why not get wrongly identified by Sunrise!
Smartsheet Appoints Indie Agency Sandbox Media To Its Media Account
Can't stand your colleagues? Like to dob them in when they miss a deadline? These work management platforms are ideal.
Boss Not Letting You Come To Cannes In Cairns? Use This Business Case To Convince Them!
Stingy boss won't spring for a ticket to Cairns? Add this to your persuasive argument repertoire. Or grovel.
Alt/shift/ Brisbane Builds Portfolio With Ausbuild Creative, PR, Content & Social Account Win
The Brisbane comms/PR agency lands constructor Ausbuild. Also hoping for a discount on its new glass conservatory.
Young Guns Versus The Old Guard: Who Adds More Value to Our Industry?
Cannes In Cairns poking this hornet's nest in a lively debate. Just so long as the oldies can get up the stairs.
70% Of Aussies Don’t Have Green Power Plans ENGIE Says In Major Brand Campaign Via HERO
Are you the notorious "light leaver on-er" in your flatshare? Quell any infighting with this green energy news.
PrettyGood Launches Offering Brand & Media Solutions For Australasian SMEs
B&T applauds the charitable nature of this new agency. Although we'd hate to see it impact any Chrissie present sends.
A Blunt End: Dolphins Medicinal Cannabis Sponsorship At Risk
Yes, it's another NRL drug story. Yet, thankfully it doesn't involve coke in Kuta during the off-season.
Slew Of New Creative Hires At Leo Burnett Australia
Ahhh, all black! The outfit of choice for agency creatives, David Jones staff and everyone in Melbourne.
Under Armour Unveils Local “Live in UA” Campaign
American apparel brand set for yet another tilt at the Aussie market, as Nike declares "we'll see about that".
Pepsi Launches New Look, Refreshing Classic Fashion Staples Via Special PR
Are you always the bridesmaid, never the bride, as the old saying goes? How do you think Pepsi feels?
Pure Blonde Returns To A Place Purer Than Yours In New Campaign Via The Monkeys
B&T's always been a huge fan of the 'drink yourself thinner' diet plan. So big thanks to Pure blonde, vodka & tequila.