By
Godfrey Benjamin
April 26th, 2024
Metaverse has become the newest macro-goal for many of the world’s tech giants. Let us have a look at what metaverse-related releases we can expect from the biggest tech companies in 2022.
With the metaverse phenomenon gaining traction, companies and celebrities getting involved in this environment, it is expected that 2022 will be a huge year for metaverse development. This year, tech giants Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ: FB), Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL), Google LLC (NASDAQ: GOOGL), and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) are releasing new metaverse-related products and services. And these releases will mark milestones for metaverse.
Metaverse is an online virtual world which consists of elements including augmented reality, virtual reality, 3D holographic avatars, video and other means of communication. In metaverse, users “live” within a digital universe, interacting with each other through avatars by means of virtual reality tools.
Metaverse has become the newest macro-goal for many of the world’s tech giants. Let us have a look at what metaverse-related releases we can expect from the biggest tech companies in 2022.
Meta Platforms’ Upcoming Releases
To begin with, Meta Platforms appeared as a result of Facebook’s rebranding on October 28, 2021. The name reflects what will be the inevitable future of human connectivity and, perhaps, of life itself. The company’s idea of metaverse includes virtual avatars of people playing games, holding meetings, attending workshops, exercising, studying and socializing. Along with rebranding, Meta also announced new tools to enable people to build for the metaverse. They included Presence Platform that allows mixed reality experiences on Quest 2. Furthermore, Meta invested $150 million in immersive learning to educate and train the coming generation of creators.
Further, Meta managed to sell around 10 million units of its Quest 2 headset required for the Oculus virtual reality app. Notably, it was the most popular app on App Store in the US on Christmas. In 2022, Meta Platforms will release another VR headset. Known as Project Cambria, the device will have sensors to capture facial expressions. In addition, the headset will support a diverse range of facial features and skin tones, as well as cope with beards, glasses and other things that could potentially interfere with the sensors.
Recently, Meta released Horizon Worlds platform where people can attend comedy shows and movie nights inside Facebook’s virtual world. Currently, it works only with the Quest and Quest 2 headsets. However, it is expected that it will add support for Project Cambria as well.
Apple’s Metaverse Developments
As for Apple, the company is reportedly developing headsets to tap into the metaverse. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst covering Apple for financial services provider TF International Securities, the headset will probably integrate both AR and VR functions into a single device. Besides, the headsets will be powered by a high-end chip and could come equipped with high-resolution displays.
Loup Ventures partner and analyst Gene Munster stated:
“We believe there is a high likelihood that Apple eventually has a family of products addressing the [metaverse] and we should see a prototype in 2022. AR or MR glasses are a logical Apple contribution to the metaverse, where we will play and work in more immersive digital worlds.”
Apple itself does not provide any comments on the rumors around its meta developments. It will probably surprise the market at the launch, the same it did when releasing its iPhones or Apple Watch.
Microsoft’s Metaverse Plans for 2022
Immeadiately after Facebook’s rebranding, Microsoft revealed its own plans for metaverse development. In particular, it introduced Mesh, a solution to the problem of online meetings getting tedious and detached from any real human emotions. The product allows organizations to create metaverses where people can collaborate in virtual environments that mimic physical offices and other shared spaces. Everyone in a meeting can be present without being physically present using personalized avatars.
In 2022, Microsoft is planning to upgrade its Mesh feature and integrate it into Teams platform. Besides, the company is going to focus on developng features for Xbox games.
Google’s Metaverse Team Expansion
With both VR and AR products, Google is one of the few organizations that can boast to have launched devices for both categories. It became clear that the giant is also planning metaverse development after it acquired North, a pioneer in human computer interfaces and smart glasses.
Currently, Google is expanding its team focusing on operating systems for augmented reality. The team, which previously affixed “and virtual reality” to the group name, is “tasked with building the foundations for great immersive computing and prototyping helpful, delightful user experiences.”