Welcome to the Metaverse

Last week, Mark Zuckerberg announced big changes coming for his company; the highlight being a name change. The company will no longer be known as Facebook but will now be titled Meta. So, what does this mean, and how does it impact you? 

In a virtual conference, The Facebook CEO and co-founder revealed his company’s metaverse project, which has been tagged as an “embodied internet” where people can play games, socialize, work, and much more.  

“We believe the metaverse will be the successor to the mobile internet, we’ll be able to feel present-like we’re right there with people no matter how far apart we actually are.”

Mark Zuckerberg

So, in conjunction with his plans, Facebook’s holding company is now named “Meta.” Other properties owned by Meta, such as Facebook, Notably, Instagram, and WhatsApp, will stay with their current namesakes. 

What is the Metaverse? 

According to the Meta website, “The metaverse is the next evolution of social connection. Our company’s vision is to help bring the metaverse to life, so we are changing our name to reflect our commitment to this future.” 

The metaverse will combine the online and physical world, where you will be able to share experiences with others even when you aren’t together. You will also be able to do things you couldn’t do in the physical world.  

In his Founder’s Letter, Zuckerberg explains that the metaverse will allow experiences that you never imagined possible. You will be able to teleport as a hologram to be in an office, attend concerts, or drop into your friends and families living rooms. This will allow people to spend time on the things that matter most to them, cut down on commuting time, and reduce our carbon footprint.  

“This isn’t about spending more time on screens; it’s about making the time we already spend better.”

Mark Zuckerberg

When is it coming and what does it mean? 

Since the metaverse is a complex and multi faceted project, which includes pushing the boundaries of technology, it likely won’t come to fruition for the next 10-15 years. It will also require collaboration from policymakers, industry partners, and experts. 

As we are aware, Facebook is no stranger to controversy. Issues surrounding privacy and data breaches are common. With the launch of the metaverse, concerns have been raised. As with any product launch, only time will tell how Meta deals with privacy and its already existing policies and procedures. There will most certainly be unforeseen issues that arise, and we will have to wait and see how the company addresses these in the future.  

It will certainly be interesting to follow the progression of the metaverse. But with anything new, especially online, we will keep a close eye on it as it unfolds. As always, we encourage you to stay vigilant to keep your safety and personal information secure.

What do you think about the metaverse? We would love to hear your thoughts!