While the metaverse is still the future, what is it now?

Web3 and inverse has been one of the biggest and most discussed tech trends for a while. At first, they might sound like exaggerated buzzwords, but now it’s clear that they’re much more than that. Many voices in the tech community see these two phenomena as defining the future.

Web3 will provide us with a more democratic, inclusive, transparent and fair version of the internet. metaverse will the ultimate connector, removing geographical borders and bringing together people from all over the world in a fun and flexible virtual space. Combined, they can create an entirely new digital infrastructure that will benefit humanity more than Web2, the current version of the internet.

Indeed, it all sounds like a very promising and intriguing concept. However, we still don’t see any public enthusiasm for the next era of the World Wide Web. Why is that, and what does it mean for the tech industry?

Metaverse and Web3 sound great, but it seems like that buzz belongs to the digital natives while the general audience outside remains unimpressed. At the very least, people are not in a hurry to join the platforms already in Web3 or participate in activities organized in the digital space of in-game metadata.

This shouldn’t be a surprise, though. According to SurveyMonkey, only 13% of American adults heard of Web3 and Dept’s research shows that only 16% of people understand What is metaverse?

It turns out that consumers are not excited about Web3 and the metaverse because some of them don’t understand these trends and don’t have the time to research. Others are not excited about exploring virtual reality, although they may be excited about technology in general because they don’t see any connection to their daily lives. Besides, for now, both Web3 and the metaverse seem like vague concepts to many of them. Not surprisingly, there was no enthusiasm among the masses.

However, this does not worry those involved in the development of technological products for the Internet of the future. It’s only natural that mainstream audiences aren’t rushing to explore Web3 and the metaverse. There are always early adopters and pioneers who pave the way and educate others. After all, only 45 million people internet users in 1996, but that number reached 150 million in 1999 alone.

What the tech industry can do

So how can the rather narrow class of tech enthusiasts change everything? It seems that the best way to capture the interest of consumers is to gradually introduce them to the concept. Several tech companies and startups are working on it; The same technologies used for Web3 and the metaverse can allow people to see and make virtual worlds a part of their daily lives.

Recently, it has become more and more affordable for businesses to incorporate virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into their services. AR is different from VR, but they have a lot in common. VR can help consumers test products in the digital space. AR brings 3D models of products to the real world. Phygital, or the integration of online and offline processes, is gaining popularity as a tool.

Many brands and retailers have recently adopted a trial-before-you-buy experience. Here are a few examples:

• IKEA, the famous Swedish furniture manufacturer, is one of the pioneers in this field. Its Place app allows users to see 3D models of what IKEA items would look like in their real apartment.
• Nike, a popular sportswear brand, experiment with a lot of new technologies and AR is one of its favorites. In the company’s mobile app, customers can find their exact shoe size with the help of AR. The brand is also actively using augmented reality for in the store experience.
• NYX, Urban Decay, and Sephora are just some of the beauty brands that allow their e-commerce shoppers to try out products by overlaying digital makeup on real human faces.

When used as such, AR becomes a vehicle to familiarize consumers with new technologies. The fusion of virtual and real worlds provides a comfortable introduction to technological advancements for those who normally approach them with caution. Virtual objects have simply become a familiar part of the consumer’s environment.

It turns out that embedding AR into the customer experience is proving its effectiveness. Based on Researchers, 75% of consumers expect retailers to provide AR experiences, and brand awareness increases by 70% when using AR creatively. This shows that people are generally more willing to embrace technological advancements if they see how these innovations can positively impact their lives and make everyday processes more appealing. more lead.

At first glance, these uses may appear as AR trials with no connection to the metaverse and Web3. But AR is a way to demonstrate how engaging and enjoyable it is to interact with virtual objects and, therefore, with the virtual world. For some consumers, it can become a pivotal point in their attitudes towards the metaverse, something that will motivate them to take it seriously and enthusiastically.

Of course, it won’t work for everyone. Even after getting used to mixing 3D objects with real life, some consumers may never want to get into the metadata, and that’s okay. Some people may even find more value in enriching their real life with AR instead of simulating their real life in virtual space. We still don’t know if the metaverse will ever become widely available.

However, many powerful technologies were originally created for the metaverse and it can be beneficial if used in the real world. Imagining humanity’s future in cyberspace has led us to significant technological advances that have made our lives easier and more enjoyable.

George Yashin is the CEO and Co-Founder of NO10an AR . fashion background