Hello Meta! Thanks for Bringing Attention to the Metaverse.
Dear Avatars,
Those who don't live under a rock should already know that Facebook is now called »Meta«...
The rumor of the last few weeks has come true, even if some had bet on »Oasis« rather than, say, »Meta« or »Metaverse« as the name.
The new brand is incredibly well thought out: the infinity sign, which presents itself three-dimensionally as a headset and can be read as »M« at the same time. Hats off! Very good work.
Does anyone know who developed it? Was it an agency or Facebook itself? - At least it's probably not a copy, even if the likeness to German M-sense is really funny - and could cost Meta some bucks:
Since the announcement of Meta by Mark Zuckerberg at Facebook Connect, the global media machinery has been electrified:
The Metaverse in the Media
By now, every tech medium, every business medium, the general media, but even every sports, women's and gaming magazine should have reported on Meta. At least online. The print editions are likely to continue next week(s).
Google Trends for "Metaverse" has long since exploded. And if you look at the long-term trend since 2004, you see that really nothing in the last decades (!) has attracted so much attention.
And therein lies the first, important message: "The Metaverse" should be grateful to Mark Zuckerberg, should be grateful to Facebook and now to Meta. For an enormous amount of attention for a topic that we all love and push forward in various ways.
And this has to be said, even if the risks of Meta's total entry into the Metaverse market is quite obvious. (Remember, Facebook had already bought Oculus in 2014!) - Nevertheless, one should first read Zuckerberg's interview at The Verge...
...but pay just as much attention to at least some of the articles and comments that followed it...
New World Notes:
The Guardian:
The Atlantic:
The New York Times:
PC Gamer:
And most importantly, CNBC:
Besides, Neal Stephenson, who coined the term »Metaverse«, clearly distanced himself from Meta in an early tweet:
But what did actually happen?
In fact, Zuckerberg has announced a lot - but delivered little: 10 billion Dollars are to be invested in 2021 alone. 10,000 jobs are to be created in Europe alone. A new high-end VR headset (»Project Cambria«) is to come...
New AR-glasses (»Project Nazare«) are to come...
...and the only really tangible thing, at least for developers, is the »Prescence Platform«:
The news had the biggest impact in a completely different place: Crypto! So called »Metaverse cryptos«, to be precise. Some have grown by double digit or even triple-digit percentages since the announcements:
But anyway - and back to the original statement: the Metaverse has a lot of attention now and for the near future. And, more importantly, a lot of investment flowing into the development of software and hardware.
Competitors will almost feel compelled to at least counter with similar announcements. - And by the way, »GAFAM« is now actually »AAMAM« - or »MAMAA«. - And Netflix lovers call it »MANGA«:
Point and fact is that we will see much more movement towards the Metaverse in the next few years with Meta - and most probably others. And that is a very good thing.
But we should all also be aware of the risks: Facebook says hello! Meta will foreseeably not build the Metaverse that many would like to see. We must pay attention to this - and stand up for corrections in direction.
Anyway, let's enjoy the moment!
Join the Metaver.se!
PS: Please forward this e-mail to your friends - or point them to this newsletter at: Metaliv.es
PPS: And actually, we are in the Fediverse on Mastodon, Metaverse-ly decentralised and interoperable: Metaver.se
PPPS: Sooner or later we will expand our presence on TikTok audio-visually, but don't forget to join us right now: MTVRS.TV
PPPPS: If you still prefer Twitter, just follow us there: Metaspac.es