Zuckerberg is long enamored with the Metaverse.
There is good reason for it. This stands to be a major shift in the way we interact with the Internet. We are dealing with something that is going to be a part of Web 3.0.
This was the move behind the name change to Meta. It was a move that was very premature and the company paid the price. To his credit. after spending maybe 18 months pursuing that end, he shifted to AI. Meta has one of the leading LLMs. It is also open source.
That does not mean the Metaverse idea is dead. It is still out there, something that will be achieved at some point.
At this stage, while not pursuing it, Zuckerberg is actually working closer to that end.
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Zuckerberg: The King of the Metaverse?
Zuckerberg's goal is to be the king of the Metaverse.
He aims to achieve this by controlling the on/off ramp. In other words, he wants to be the platform people use. This is similar how most access the Internet either through Apple or Google. Since mobile has more than half the Internet access, those are the two players.
Zuckerberg did not like getting locked out of that game and having his applications dependent upon other companies.
He is not going to make that mistake again. This time, he is seeking to get ahead of the curve.
A case could be made he is doing it.
Will Zuckerberg bring up the new access to the Internet?
Smart Ray-Ban
Meta partnered with Ray-Ban to created smart glasses. This is part of the goal to make the Internet 3-D.
It is also how Meta is seeking to enter the augmented and virtual reality spheres.
After the initial success, they are moving on to their Orion line of products.
Following the Orion showcase, Meta is preparing to strengthen its relationship with software developers as it works toward building a consumer version of the device, and to pushing its current generation of Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses to more consumers for the 2024 holiday shopping season.
The company is also looking at ways to bring the technology developed for the Orion wristband to its other consumer devices, notably the Quest VR headsets and the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Many wondered what will replace the smartphone as the device through which we connect to the Internet. While it is still uncertain, Meta is tossing the smart glasses forward.
This is not new. Google came out with Google Glasses a decade ago, something that was an epic failure. Here was an example where a good idea suffered from bad timing.
Will it be better for Zuckerberg this time around.
Time will tell on that one.
Obviously being tied to a company like Ray-Ban can only help the endeavor. That company has global distribution, something that could help promote the product.
In Conclusion
Will smart glasses be our go to in the future to access the Internet?
On this, I am not sure. Many do not wear glasses, hence this will be something new. Also, we are going to see a host of other products entering the market.
Will any of them catch on? We will see.
Meta appears to be making strides. That said, having an AR/VR product does mean the Metaverse is about to show up. We are still a long way from that.
Zuckerberg is smart in laying a foundation where his products are leading in the mixed reality game. This is going to be a major portion of the Metaverse experience. However, we are still a long way in our communication systems before we see that as a reality.