Meta is a short form for Metaverse, a new face for the technology company previously known as Facebook. At 2021 Facebook Connect, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the world to Meta, an alternative to the physical world and a hint of the future.
When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the face of communication. Yes, it changed the way people connect and communicate. Globally, there is no technology company worth billions like Facebook, what we now call Meta. With its inception, we were introduced to new social media platforms like Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and not so long ago, an addition of WhatsApp to its digital umbrella. All these digital products are now under a parent company- Meta.
What is Meta & Its Target?
Amidst the growing criticisms, Zuckerberg remains staunch about his “social connect” motto. Whether it’s a rebrand or not, its mission remains the same; bring people together and help businesses grow worldwide. Mark Zuckerberg says that it’s time to adopt a new company brand to encompass everything they do, reflect on who they are and what they hope to build.
In an approximately 11-minute video on YouTube, Mark explains the company’s aim, mission, future, and safety concerns. In this digital world- Meta, you will decide when to be with other people, block them from appearing in your space, or enjoy your private moments.
These capabilities will help one bring things from the physical world into the metaverse ‘Virtual.’ It includes any type of media like music, videos, photos, or anything else that can be represented digitally. One can build a world and then jump into it anytime and anywhere. It may sound funny, but this is the future. You could be talking with a comrade and as well handle kitchen duties digitally at the same time in the coming new world.
Is it an imaginary world? A world where you can use space to create a home, make surprise birthday parties or have any experience you wish to. Anyone would be able to create his world or what he wants on Horizon, “Home.” People around can also join!
In the unfolding days like these, where remote and hybrid work models are invading the traditional work cultures, “Work in the Metaverse” is the answer. According to Zuckerberg, since remote work is here to stay, there is a need to develop better tools to work together and stay connected. With Meta’s workspace and tools, remote employees will be able to cultivate a sense of presence, all accessible from anywhere.
Quest: One can log in to Quest with another account other than the Facebook account if he wishes to, he explains. Focusing on work, the hybrid style is going to be complex. Imagine connecting people remotely and those in the physical office, providing tools for everyone to be present regardless of where they are. It is work that requires resources and time.
Meta will give people access to more job opportunities (provide opportunities to all), ditching daily commutes to save time for work, reducing traffic, spending quality time doing things that matter, and protecting the environment. These are all game-changers!
Meta intends to provide tools at a lower cost to make them available to all people, support side loading and linking to PC. One (consumers and developers) will choose whether to use the Quest store or not. Developer services will be available at a low fee; however, initially, some programs’ fees may remain higher to keep the project running.
He further explains the “Presence Platform,” a broad range of machine perception and AI capabilities that will power developers to build more realistic mixed reality experiences, content replacement, and invoice interactions. Meta also exhibits different projects beyond Quest, and these include Cambria and Nazare.
It’s a virtual world in the making that billions worldwide will adopt in the next 10 to 15 years.
Criticisms
Facebook, now Meta Platforms, Inc, has occasionally been trolled and involved in several lawsuits like data theft, illegal data harvest, tax avoidance, failure to protect its users, among others. Beyond that is the growing threat of “bad press” and a deteriorating public image. Worst of all, Meta, previously Facebook, has been seen as a digital monopolist with its downside.
Marketing analysts explain that there is no better time for rebranding a multi-million company like this. Facebook has finally got a way out of its weighty controversies. Recently, a server problem at a data centre in Santa Clara brought businesses to a standstill and many people disconnected on social media for several hours.
Finally, on October 29, the world woke up to the once anticipated news blockbuster. Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg with his new Metaverse digital dream. Welcome to Metaverse, an immersive virtual environment! A world where you will need no TVs, but perhaps a hologram to experience the best of technology.