What Is Metaverse, How New Is This Concept? Here's A Brief Look Into What Users Can Expect

Here's Metaverse explained in simple terms: What will the technology bring for the digital world, what users can expect from it.

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New Digital World: Last year, when Facebook changed its name to Meta, the social media giant stated that it wanted to shift its focus to Metaverse technology. Since then, Metaverse has been a topic of keen interest for tech enthusiasts and common users alike.

What Is Metaverse?

Metaverse is a kind of virtual world. With this technology, people can enter the digital world through virtual identity. In this virtual space, people also get a chance to hang out, shop, and meet friends. Metaverse combines several technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, machine learning, blockchain technology, and artificial intelligence.

Where did the concept come from?

The concept of Metaverse is not new. It was conceptualised about three decades ago in 1992. American science fiction writer Neal Stephenson then described the Metaverse in his novel 'Snow Crush'. In the following thirty years, the technology to make it a reality has gradually evolved.

Notably, Facebook is not the first company to work on Metaverse. Before Facebook, in 2017, startup Decentraland worked on the same concept. On its website, users can find a different virtual world that has its own currency and economy.

A user will be able to reach any virtual world through Metaverse. In an example of how it may play out, you spot a showroom during a virtual tour. You can shop there and after that, your order placed virtually will actually reach the address you have given. 

Metaverse is currently being used on a trial basis. The technology is expected to reach common users soon and with that, it can potentially be a major leap in the digital space.