What Is Metaverse And How Is It Changing AR/VR World?

Virtual reality augmented reality has already become the basis of science fiction. This idea has been the subject of many works of literature and popular media, but we have finally reached the point where it can become a reality.

It's safe to say that the Metaverse has been the subject of much debate and discussion. While some see it as the future of technology, others dismiss it as nothing more than a fad. The truth is, the Metaverse isn't going anywhere, and its impact on everything from our mental health to our ability to do our jobs will be enormous.

Metaverse: what is it?

The term "metaverse" refers to a network of socially connected three-dimensional virtual worlds. It is defined as a simulated online environment that uses the concepts of virtual reality, augmented reality, blockchain, and social media to create environments that are very similar to the real world but allow for more subtle human participation.

Here you can find everything from sports to conferences and therapy to shops. Using a headset and accessing the VR portal is the only way to enter the Metaverse.

Furthermore, Mark Zuckerberg, the creator of Meta (formerly Facebook), estimates that it will take 5-10 years for the core features of Facebook's metaverse to become standard.

On the other hand, the Metaverse is growing at an incredible rate.

While not available to everyone, ultra-fast broadband connections, virtual reality headsets, and always-on worlds are now a reality.

Now we will look at the two most distinctive features of the Metaverse platform:

Interaction

Metaverse technology will combine elements of augmented reality vr. Space and time in the Metaverse app should look very similar to real life.

In the real world, visual, auditory, and kinesthetic patterns of interaction are possible. Similar digital collaboration opportunities are expected from the Metaverse platform.

interoperable

One of the requirements of a successful Metaverse program is that it can run on multiple Metaverse systems.

Building applications for the Metaverse shows a wide range of untested technological possibilities.

Developers, whether new to the Metaverse or established characters with deep roots, can create features that are limited or flexible.

Also, there are many resources that can be used to achieve this envisioned future. Unreal Engine, Unity, Amazon Sumerian, Blender, and Maya are just a few examples of such development environments.

Learn more about the practical use of Metaverse and the benefits it provides by reviewing examples from other industries.

According to Bloomberg Intelligence, the Metaverse technology market could reach $2.5 trillion by 2030, up from $800 billion forecast for 2025.

The industry is getting the encouragement and outside attention it needs to replace augmented reality technology with virtual reality and the future. Let's take a look at some of the pioneering initiatives that led to the development of the Metaverse tools.

For example, the metaverse rules contain the following:

There is only one Metaverse. All people must have access to the Metaverse.

The Metaverse exists beyond anyone's control. Metaverse should be available most of the time.

Most importantly, Metaverse doesn't care about your hardware. The Internet and networks are part of the Metaverse.

When you wear a VR headset, you enter a virtual reality (VR) environment called the Metaverse.

It has great potential in many areas including retail, business and employment. In the Metaverse, the real and virtual worlds merge with the help of tools like augmented reality (AR) VR, which sets the stage for a connected 3D (AR) digital world.

Virtual worlds like Decentraland and online gaming platforms like The Sandbox are just two examples of existing metaverses. Participation in the Metaverse is growing at an unprecedented rate in the video game industry.

According to Metaverse, gaming industry engagement is growing at an unprecedented rate, with 65% of the world's population engaging in immersive multimedia experiences, such as watching a TV show, movie, video game premiere, or collaborating. in creating a live concert.

Who uses the Metaverse the most?

69 percent of people participate in social activities, whether it's meeting new people, attending group meetings, or visiting the virtual world while gaming.

Nearly three quarters (72%) of the people on Earth have been involved in some form of financial activity in the Metaverse. This may include the purchase of virtual goods, the purchase of game currency, the purchase of digital goods on digital marketplaces, or the purchase or sale of other players.

Augmented reality (AR) in the virtual world

Market leaders like Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg are betting big on the potential of the "incarnation of the Internet," the Metaverse. It's a virtual reality experience or something that can be brought into your life (via AR).

Virtual worlds are gaining popularity, but today's Metaverse may be the next wave in augmented reality.

The most natural way to present digital content to the human perceptual system is to insert it directly into our physical environment.

How does your brain make you an image?

Your brain creates a unique representation of the scene based on information from the organs of sight, hearing, touch, and movement.

As long as the virtual agents are clearly distinguishable in their environment in terms of space and time, this is possible with augmented reality, even with rather poor visual stability.

Now that our ability to judge distance (or perception of intensity) has improved, it's not hard to believe.

Augmented reality will inevitably become the norm. It has the potential to replace smartphones and computers as the dominant interface for digital content, and will undoubtedly overtake VR as the primary gateway to the Metaverse.

Augmented reality could give us superpowers, allowing us to change our surroundings with a finger or an eye.

VR Augmented Reality in Metaverse

Customers can now bridge the gap between their digital and physical worlds by accessing the Metaverse through virtual reality.

We will be able to explore new places and make relationships more accessible to more people by using virtual versions of people, things, and landscapes.

Simply put, this is an alternate reality where you can do whatever you want, like go to school, work, go to concerts, or go shopping without leaving your home. Virtual reality allows users to attend events, shop, and learn about new opportunities. In turn, augmented and mixed reality will open hitherto unimaginable opportunities to improve the physical world around us.

There are already additions to the XR, such as haptic feedback tools that will allow us to feel a handshake and hug from our contacts, no matter where we physically are.

Rights of selected images: provided by the author; Thank you!

Message What is Metaverse and how is it changing the world of AR/VR? It first appeared in ReadWrite.

5 Reasons Why AR Is The Future Of Online Shopping

As the world changes dramatically, the fashion industry, the fourth largest sector of the global economy, must adapt. Today, it faces many challenges. There are thousands of brands and retailers in a highly competitive environment that need to improve business processes, increase sales, attract new customers online and offline, and go green.

To find solutions to these problems, the industry has started turning to new technologies like AR and IoT. Over the past decade, many shoppers have gone online. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the popularity of online shopping. In 2021, 49% of global consumers will make more purchases online than before the pandemic.

E-commerce is a relatively new direction for the fashion industry. E-commerce has its challenges, but it can also become a platform for tools that address the most pressing issues facing the fashion industry as a whole.

Digital tools used in e-commerce can provide new ways to engage with consumers and convince them to buy online. At the same time, there are e-commerce solutions that reduce production costs and make the fashion industry more resilient to future economic downturns and environmental crises.

Augmented reality is one of the most in-demand new technologies because it can help industry players solve many of the aforementioned problems. This technology definitely defines the future of fashion. This can make online shopping a more effective sales channel. Five salient points prove this.

#1: AR increases profitability

One of the biggest e-commerce opportunities emerging from augmented reality is fit digital technology. It allows consumers to try on products (eg Snap, ZERO10, Clo-Z), shoes (eg Wanna Kiks, Kivisense, Vyking), accessories (eg Perfect, Hapticmedia, QReal) and branded beauty (eg ModiFace, Virtool, Face). technologies) is almost the same as it is in the physical world.

This is important because it is very important for people to understand whether a product is suitable or not before purchasing a product. In 2019, before the pandemic, 55% of consumers said that the ability to try on clothes was a key factor in choosing their physical stores.

Consumer preferences are unlikely to change, but COVID-19 has forced people to shop online. More and more consumers are used to shopping online, but still want to try on clothes. Therefore, they buy clothes on e-commerce platforms, then try them on at home and often return at least part of the items.

The global economic downturn is forcing people to shop smarter and for many, it's easier to refuse an item they're unsure about than the return process.

With AR Pass, consumers can use their smartphone cameras to see what a digital version of an item they love will look like. The experience can be very realistic because there are already technologies that can mimic body tracking and segmentation and different types of clothing.

It helps you make a more informed and informed decision. When consumers feel confident in their choice, it encourages them to buy more. So sales are up, returns are down, and returns are resource-intensive for retailers because returns increase logistics costs and reduce the profitability of any rejected product.

#2: Augmented reality makes shopping greener

Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing the fashion industry today. Fashion is one of the most important polluters on earth today. In the United States alone, 11.3 million tons of textiles are thrown away each year.

The clothing industry is heavily influenced by the environmental crisis, as brands often produce more than they can sell, especially when it comes to consumer fashion. At the same time, humans clearly buy too much clothes.

Many buyers find it easier to dispose of surplus items than to return them.

By enabling more accurate shopping, augmented reality testing technology helps reduce frustrating purchasing decisions, thereby reducing tissue waste. In addition, it reduces CO2 emissions from logistics, because the income is lower.

In the future, an augmented reality suit could reduce the production of physical clothing. AR makes it possible not only to test garments that have already been produced, but also to test concepts that do not yet exist. By seeing and testing the clothing concept in physical form, specific fashions can be experienced at the request of consumers. Who knows what this practice might do to the fashion industry?

This means that there is no excess production of uncollected goods that can end up as waste.

Supporting sustainable development is an investment in a better future for the world. It is also a way to increase brand loyalty. According to McKinsey, 63% of European consumers consider promoting brand sustainability as an important purchasing factor.

#3: AR is key to the Metaverse

The metaverse is one of the most discussed in terms of the future of society. In 2021, Internet searches for the word "metaverse" increased by 7200%. There is currently no mass Metaverse implementation, but it will be important in the future. AR empowers brands and retailers to explore the possibilities of the Metaverse, paving the way for the future of fashion.

There are two main sales opportunities that Metaverse offers brands: selling digital clothing for user avatars and setting up stores in the virtual space where people can buy physical clothing. The first choice may seem crazy to some, but the prospects are truly impressive.

In 2021, Internet users will spend 60 to 70 billion dollars on virtual goods from video games, so there are already some people who are used to buying digital clothes, accessories and cosmetics. The second option turns the typical e-commerce shopping process into an immersive experience. This brings fun to an otherwise purely mechanical process.

Metaverse also offers an opportunity to improve marketing. It's a place for brands and retailers to engage with their audience and showcase their products. Metaverse will enable retailers to offer more personalized offers to customers and develop better loyalty programs.

Of course, you can wait until the Metaverse is very popular and has a large audience. But then the brand or retailer has to drive out those who were established there. It is known that being a pioneer is much easier than catching up.

#4: Augmented reality helps connect with Gen Z

Gen Z consumers are embracing it, and brands and marketers are scrambling to find the best way to connect with them. These young people who grew up with technology and e-commerce should speak the same innovative language to them. They also strive to make financially and environmentally conscious choices, and view shopping as an experience, not just a transaction.

As Gen Z consumers tend to carefully review fashion products before purchasing, it is imperative that e-commerce provides the most credible data. Augmented reality editing is a winning tool for them because it helps them form more informed opinions. It also offers new ways to connect with Generation Z on the Internet, especially through social media and the metaverse.

Speaking of social media, young people see clothing as a means of self-expression and creativity. A post on a social platform often calls for an extravagant look that can be put on once and then put away or forgotten. It is not ecological at all.

Generation Z is environmentally conscious and strives to reduce pollution. You can appreciate the benefits of digital clothing. In addition, out of concern for protecting the planet, they will appreciate the proper production of physical clothing.

#5: Augmented reality makes it easier to find new talent

Starting a career as a fashion designer is not easy financially. Aspiring fashion designers often have to invest their own money to create their first pieces and collections. You need to buy textiles, clothing accessories and other materials. They also need templates and resource-rich screens to make an impressive presentation.

AR is a more sustainable and financially savvy way for new creatives to showcase their collections to buyers, consumers, journalists and influencers. Additionally, augmented reality can make competitions for young fashion designers more inclusive and accessible by removing geographical and financial barriers. Such competitions can also be moved to the Metaverse.

As a result, the fashion industry will become more democratic and brighter fashion designers will have the opportunity to be part of the industry.

Selling clothes online is relatively cheap compared to working in a physical store, but aspiring designers need to earn their audience. They also need digital tools for this. Consumers are generally suspicious of new designers. It takes a lot of effort to change consumer opinion.

Predicting the future may seem like a futile task, as predictions cannot be 100% accurate. Also, black swans are always waiting in the wings to arrive and change the game. But when it comes to augmented reality's ability to improve e-commerce, it's not even a prediction, because it's already happening.

Forward-thinking brands and retailers tend to experiment with this technology. They see how it can solve their problems and open up new opportunities.

Featured image credits: Photomix; Pixel; Thank you!

"5 Reasons Augmented Reality Is the Future of Online Shopping" was first published on ReadWrite.

5 Reasons Why AR Is The Future Of Online Shopping

Because the world has changed so much, the fashion industry, the fourth largest sector of the global economy, is being forced to adapt. Today he had to face many problems. In a highly competitive environment, there are thousands of brands and retailers who need to improve their business operations, increase sales, attract new customers online and offline, and be environmentally friendly.

To find solutions to these challenges, the industry has started to turn to new technologies like AR and IoT. In the last decade, many online shoppers have churned. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping is becoming increasingly popular. By 2021, 49% of global consumers will be shopping online today compared to before the pandemic.

E-commerce is a relatively new trend in the fashion industry. Online retail has its own set of challenges, but it can also be a tool platform for solving the most pressing problems in the fashion industry.

Digital tools used in e-commerce can offer new ways to connect with consumers and shop online. At the same time, as an answer to the economic crisis and the environmental crisis, there are e-commerce solutions that can reduce production costs and bring more sustainability to the fashion industry in the future.

AR is one of the most requested technologies with the potential to help industry players solve some of the challenges mentioned above. This technology is very important for the future of fashion. Online shopping can be a more effective sales channel. There are five strong points that prove this.

#1: Augmented Reality increases profitability

One of the key e-commerce opportunities emerging from augmented reality is digital testing technology. This allows consumers to buy virtual clothing (like Snap, ZERO10, and Clo-Z), shoes (like Wanna Kiks, Kivisense, Vyking), accessories (like Perfect, Hapticmedia, QReal), and beauty products (like ModiFace). Virtool, Visage Technologies) is almost like the physical world.

This is important as people need to understand if a product is right for them before they buy it. In 2019, before the pandemic, 55% of consumers said the ability to try on clothes was behind their decision to shop in a physical store.

Consumer preferences may change, but COVID-19 has forced people to shop online. So nowadays more and more consumers are used to online shopping but still want to try on clothes. As a result, they buy clothes on e-commerce platforms and then often return at least some items after wearing them at home.

The global economic slowdown is forcing people to shop with caution, and for many it's easier to refuse a product they don't believe in than going through the returns process.

Augmented reality testing allows consumers to use smartphone cameras to experience the digital look of their favorite items. The experience can be very realistic as the technology already exists that can do body tracking and segmentation and simulate different types of fabrics.

This helps to make more assertive and informed decisions. When consumers are confident in their choice, it motivates them to buy more. Therefore, sales increase while returns decrease, and profitability is resource-intensive for retailers as revenue increases logistics costs and decreases the profitability of each declining product.

#2: Augmented Reality makes shopping more sustainable

Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges for the fashion industry today. Fashion is one of the biggest pollutants in the world today. In the United States alone, 11.3 million tons of hazardous materials end up in landfills every year.

Garment manufacturing is a major contributor to the environmental crisis, as brands often produce more than they can sell, especially when it comes to mass-market fashion. At the same time, mankind buys a lot of clothes.

Many shoppers find it easier to throw items in the trash than to return them.

By encouraging smarter shopping, the experimental AR technology helps reduce the number of disappointing purchase decisions, thereby reducing textile waste. In addition, it also reduces CO2 emissions from logistics as it stimulates profit margins.

In the future, AR testing could also reduce the production of physical clothing. With augmented reality, not only garments that have already been produced can be tested, but also concepts that do not yet exist. Seeing and experiencing the concept of fashion in physical form can bring specific garments to life based on consumer demand. Who knows what this experience could bring to the fashion industry?

This means no more producing products that are not needed and there can be waste.

Prioritizing sustainability is a contribution to a better future for the world. It's also a way to increase brand loyalty. According to McKinsey, 63% of European consumers consider promoting brand sustainability to be an important purchasing factor.

#3: AR is the key to the Metaverse

Metaverse is one of the most debated topics regarding the future of society. In 2021, the number of web searches related to the word "metaverse" will increase by 7200%. A mass acceptance of the metaverse does not take place, but will also be great in the future. Augmented Reality allows brands and retailers to explore the possibilities of the Metaverse and pave the way for the future of fashion.

Metaverse offers brands two main sales opportunities: selling digital clothing to the user's avatar and placing the store in a virtual space where people can buy physical clothing. The first option may seem deceptive to some, but the prospects are impressive.

By 2021, internet users will spend between $60 billion and $70 billion on video game virtual goods, so many people are used to buying digital clothing, accessories, and cosmetics. The second option is to transform the traditional ecommerce shopping process into an immersive experience. This makes what is usually a purely mechanical process more fun.

Metaverse also offers the opportunity to improve marketing. It's a place for brands and retailers to interact with their audience and showcase their products. Metaverse will enable retailers to offer customers more personalized offers and build better loyalty programs.

Of course, the Metaverse can wait until it becomes popular and has a large audience. But then the brand or the retailer has to go after those who chose to be there. You know, it's easier to be an early adopter than it is to catch up.

#4: AR helps communicate with Gen Z.

Gen Z consumers are taking charge, and brands and marketers are wondering how best to communicate with them. These young people grew up with technology, and e-commerce needs to speak the same innovative language with them. They also strive to make financially and environmentally conscious choices and view shopping as an experience rather than a transaction.

With Gen Z consumers tending to evaluate fashion products long before they make a purchase, providing the most reliable data for e-commerce is critical. AR is a compelling tool for testers because it helps them form more informed opinions. It's also giving Gen Z new ways to interact online through social media and the metaverse.

Speaking of social media: Young people see clothing as a means of self-expression and creativity. Posting on a social platform requires displaying phrases that are used frequently and then either returned or forgotten. It's not eco-friendly at all.

Generation Z cares about the environment and tries to reduce pollution. You can appreciate the benefits of digital clothing. With a desire to protect the planet, they would also like to create the physical clothing desired.

#5: Augmented Reality makes the search for new talent easier

Getting started as a fashion designer is not easy financially. New fashion designers have to invest their own money to create their first items and sets. You need to buy textiles, clothing accessories and other items. You also need resource-intensive templates and presentations to create effective presentations.

Augmented Reality is a more sustainable and affordable way for new designers to showcase their collections to buyers, consumers, journalists and influencers. Additionally, augmented reality can make contests more inclusive and accessible for young fashion designers, removing geographic and financial barriers. These competitions can also be ported to the Metaverse.

As a result, the fashion industry will become more democratic and smarter fashion designers will get the opportunity to be part of the industry.

Selling clothes online is relatively cheap compared to in-store, but aspiring designers need to appeal to their audience. They also need digital tools for this. Consumers are still suspicious of little-known designers. Changing consumer minds takes a lot of effort.

Predicting the future may seem like a pointless task as predictions cannot be 100% accurate. Also, there are always some black swans waiting to show up and change the game. But when it comes to AR's ability to boost e-commerce, that's not even an expectation because it's already happening.

Forward-thinking brands and retailers are likely to try this technology. You see how you can solve problems and offer new opportunities.

Credit for select images: Photomix Company; Pixel. Thanks very much!

The five reasons why AR is the future of online shopping post appeared first on ReadWrite.