Welcome to our corner of the metaverse, where today we will explore together the newest technological frontiers and hottest trends for 2024 that are just unfolding before our eyes. In this adventure, I have joined the very experienced Tony Vitillo, an international blogosphere guru with an infectious passion for all things XR, the metaverse and the uncharted territories that are opening up thanks to new technologies. Get ready: the journey we are about to embark on is full of news, unexpected encounters with technological giants and exciting twists and turns.
New giants on the stage
Who knew? The year 2024 marks Apple’s arrival in the metaverse universe with its highly anticipated Vision Pro, a launch that is already shaking up the tech universe. Well yes, the Cupertino giant has finally decided to drop its cards, albeit with a rather cautious strategy, limiting the product’s availability to only 500k pieces for lucky early American buyers. The price? Well, get your wallets ready because we are talking about 3500 USD each.
Equally impressive is Samsung’s re-entry into the field. Forget the good old GearVR because the Korean giant, this time, is not alone. Qualcomm and Google are joining the team, promising to revolutionize the user experience with a stand-alone visor in full Mixed Reality. And this is where things get really interesting: imagine being able to access the Google Play Store directly from your visor. Yes, you got it right. The apps you love, available in the blink of an eye, in the virtual world.
Meta’s move
Now, speaking of Meta, which never ceases to surprise us. Even in 2024, its Quest continues to dominate the XR market, but challenges are just around the corner. Apple and Google are worthy opponents, but Meta might have an ace up its sleeve: the introduction of the Meta Quest 3 Lite. A device at a more than affordable price that could really be a game changer, making the Metaverse a quintessential home experience.
A year of experimentation
Mixed and augmented reality has never been more on the verge of making the big leap, but 2024 is shaping up to be a year of exploration and trial and error, looking for that killer application that has so far seemed elusive. Hardware manufacturers are crossing their fingers that software developers will find the key to unlocking the true potential of these technologies.
Artificial intelligence gets personal
Think of an artificial intelligence that can chat with you on any topic, from anywhere, simply by pointing a finger. 2024 seems to be the year when this science fiction becomes reality, with devices such as Humane AI’s pin and Meta’s new Ray-Bans with built-in AI. However, privacy concerns remain: how much are we willing to share with large corporations?
Virtual economies boom
The universe of virtual social worlds continues to expand, becoming a veritable hotspot for new generations, who find in these 3-D spaces the opportunity to express themselves in increasingly creative and immersive ways. And with the rise of new content creators, the line between virtual reality and real life is becoming increasingly blurred.
Industrial metaverse: the future is now
NVIDIA never ceases to amaze us, and its Omniverse reveals itself as a revolutionary tool for companies seeking to embrace the industrial metaverse, promising efficiency and innovation. Collaboration with giants such as Siemens and BMW is just the tip of the iceberg of what lies ahead.
The gaze of states
It is not just companies that are moving into the metaverse universe. Governments are also beginning to play their part, with strategies and investments that aim to propel their countries into the new digital dimension. From Finland to the Netherlands via South Korea, the commitment to the metaverse is becoming increasingly concrete and ambitious.
Toward a more open world
Finally, a hint of hope of interoperability and in the democratization of virtual spaces thanks to the Digital Markets Act. A sign that 2024 may indeed be the year we start walking toward a more unified metaverse accessible to all.
On this incredible journey, we touched on the innovations that are shaping our digital future. From the landing of tech giants in the metaverse to experiments in mixed and augmented reality, via contextual artificial intelligence, the expansion of virtual economies, the evolution of the industrial metaverse, and the increasing focus of states. There is indeed much to marvel at in the face of a year that promises to be full of technological surprises. And what about us? We can’t wait to find out what the next chapter of this digital adventure has in store for us.
