What is Facebook’s Metaverse? - Explained

Oct 29, 2021, 11:30 IST

CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook's new name is 'Meta' to showcase the company's growing focus on Metaverse. Know what is Metaverse for which Facebook is hiring 10,000 people in the European Union (EU) over the next five years?

Facebook new name Meta, Source: AP
Facebook new name Meta, Source: AP

CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook's new name is 'Meta'. Zuckerberg made the announcement of the name change of Facebook on October 28, 2021, during an annual Connect conference.  The decision to rename Facebook to Meta is to showcase the company's growing focus on Metaverse. In a similar feat, Google in 2015 had created Alphabet Inc as a holding company to house its various ventures and establish itself as more than a search and advertising business.

Facebook on October 18, 2021, had also announced its plan to hire 10,000 people in the European Union over the next five years to build the Metaverse, a virtual reality version of the internet. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been mentioning Metaverse since July 2021. The tech giant is looking forward work with governments across Europe to hire the right people and find the right markets across the region.

Also read: Facebook changes name to Meta in major rebrand effort, says Mark Zuckerberg

What is Metaverse?

Facebook defines Metaverse as a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical space as you. With Metaverse, people can experience the internet in 3D. This means one can meet, play, work or join places as if they were actually experiencing it rather than just viewing it as content.

Facebook will use technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to create a sense of virtual presence that will enable one to experience the event as if interacting in person. With this technology, Facebook aims to connect its 3 billion users through Metaverse.

The metaverse has the potential to help unlock new creative, social, and economic opportunities.

Who will run Metaverse?

No one company will run the Metaverse. The key features of Metaverse will be openness and interoperability. As per Facebook, different companies will collaborate, cooperate with each other, creators, developers, and policymakers to build and operate the Metaverse.   

When will Metaverse be available?

As per the Facebook official blog, the company is in the beginning stages of building the next computing platform Metaverse. It could take 10 to 15 years to be fully developed. As of now, Facebook has announced its plan to hire 10,000 people in Europe over the next five years for building the Metaverse.

Facebook has also announced the XR Program and Research Fund, a 2-year $50 million investment in research to help build the Metaverse. The Fund will set the stage for collaboration between industry partners, governments, civil rights groups, and academic institutions to explore the development of technologies.

How will Metaverse work?

As per Facebook, one will be able to access the Metaverse through AR, VR, PC, mobile devices, and game consoles.

Roopashree Sharma
Roopashree Sharma

Deputy Manager

Roopashree Sharma is a seasoned content writing professional with over 5 years of experience in digital journalism, specializing in education, science, trending, national and international news. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has contributed to leading media houses including Zee, Times, and India TV. Currently serving as Assistant Manager – Editorial at Jagran New Media, she writes and manages content for the General Knowledge (GK) section of the Jagran Josh (English) portal. For inquiries, contact her at roopashree.sharma@jagrannewmedia.com.

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