Get Prepared for the Battle of Metaverses

Tech giants and rising upstarts are gearing up for a new reality with the development of headsets and other devices. Apple has made headlines recently with the rollout of its Vision Pro headset, but there is a clear split in philosophy on the role these mixed-reality devices will play. While multiple companies have had strategies for the metaverse – an alternative, digital world – this discussion was sidelined by disappointing sales and the rise of generative AI. However, Apple’s entry has revived interest and challenged Mark Zuckerberg’s – CEO of Meta, formerly known as Facebook – pursuit of mixed reality. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reaffirmed his commitment to the pursuit of “presence” in a recent interview. Nine years ago, Zuckerberg was exposed to virtual reality and it became the platform he was convinced was the future. His commitment increased after he purchased the VR startup, Oculus, in 2014. He has embraced the term “metaverse” and aims to provide tools to take users to another space to socialise. Meta’s flagship social app, Horizon Worlds, is still clunky and tiring, yet Zuckerberg continues to spend billions on its research to improve this technology. Apple’s $3,500 Vision Pro headset is lighter and more sophisticated than Meta’s Quest devices. The headset is primarily designed for solitary use, allowing users to work or watch movies. The device has a few social components, such as a digital display intended to warn users of any proximity to other people. The word “metaverse” was not used in Apple’s event, but rather “spatial computing”.