PHOENIX – Looking at search trends, people have been looking up the term ‘metaverse’ lately, since Facebook’s announcement in October 2021 that it will rebrand to ‘Meta’ as a reflection of its commitment to develop new metaverse-related technologies.

Here’s what you need to know about one of the hottest recent trends in the tech world.

First off, what is a metaverse?

 In its October 2021 article on the rebranding of Facebook’s parent company, the Associated Press defined the metaverse as sort of the internet brought to life, or at least rendered in 3D.

“[Mark] Zuckerberg has described it as a ‘virtual environment’ you can go inside of, instead of just looking at on a screen. People can meet, work and play, using virtual reality headsets, augmented reality glasses, smartphone apps or other devices,” read a portion of the article. “It also will incorporate other aspects of online life such as shopping and social media, according to Victoria Petrock, an analyst who follows emerging technologies.”

In a November 2021 article, the AP described the metaverse as “a virtual reality construct intended to supplant the internet, merge virtual life with real life and create endless new playgrounds for everyone.”

An analysis by Bloomberg Intelligence in December 2021, meanwhile, describes the metaverse as the next big technology platform.

“Social, persistent, shared, virtual 3D worlds, the metaverse is the convergence of the physical and digital realms in the next evolution of the internet and social networks using real-time 3D software,” a portion of the analysis read.

The term was coined in a 1992 sci-fi novel called “Snow Crash.”

Source: https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/what-is-the-metaverse-one-of-the-hottest-trends-in-the-tech-world-in-recent-months