In 2021, the whole world started talking about metaverso… But it is in 2022 that this new digital world will really begin to take shape. Tech giants love Meta (formerly Facebook), Apple, Microsoft e Google they should have important hardware and software releases on what until now has only been a niche market for early adopters.

These companies are betting that gadgets that take people into enhanced or imaginary virtual 3D spaces will open up the largest new software market since Apple introduced a touchscreen smartphone in 2007, according to information from CNBC…

It is expected that if the metaverse explodes, everyone who currently owns a mobile phone will also have a pair of computer glasses or a headset in the future. virtual reality (VR)…
As a result, companies are investing heavily in research and development of prototypes and core technologies, and preparing for a virtual battle when their products hit the market.

Mark ZuckerbergMeta’s CEO went so far as to say that he spent so much money on VR and RA (augmented reality) in 2021 that he cut the company’s profit by $ 10 billion. According to analysts at Goldman Sachs, up to $ 1.35 trillion will be invested in the development of these technologies in the next few years.

Below you will find out which releases are in preparation for 2022:

Meta

The former Facebook is fully engaged in metaverse technology, so much so that last year changed name to Meta Platforms to reflect the new focus. The company already makes VR hardware, the Quest 2 headset, which accounted for 75% of the market in 2021.

Another VR headset is slated for release later this year, still called Project Cambria. The device will have a system that will make it better for mixed reality and face and eye tracking to make it more responsive to user input.

Apple

CNBC points out that the Apple brand has never confirmed it is working on a headset, but has been prototyping approaches in its technology team for years.

In its current directions, Apple uses Lidar sensors, which can measure distance to an object, and ARkit software, which allows developers to create applications that use sensors for mapping and positioning.

These technological building blocks form the basis for a completely new product. It is expected to be a state-of-the-art headset that combines virtual reality and augmented reality, and could launch this year.

Google

In 2013, Google began selling the Google Glass headset in the United States. But the novelty was not very successful. There are now signs that the company is looking at this market again.

In 2020, the company bought North, a startup that works with lightweight AR glasses, and even put together a new team specializing in operating systems for augmented reality.
Based on the job postings, Google is actively hiring this team, which is actively developing an “innovative augmented reality device” and adding products “to its augmented reality portfolio.”

Microsoft

Microsoft was the first major tech company to release a full-fledged AR headset HoloLens in 2016. At a high cost ($ 3,500), companies are currently the largest consumers of the product.

Last year, he piqued the interest of the US government, which announced the purchase of 120,000 units for military use – a deal valued at $ 22 billion but not yet completed. Medical companies have also shown interest in augmented reality technology that can help companies in the industry improve operating rooms as well as use them in remote surgery.

The company, founded by Bill Gates, has also invested in cloud services to become a nexus for virtual worlds that should be open to the public. In addition, this year it will integrate the Mesh Mixed Reality platform with the Teams video conferencing app. Xbox gaming features are also in development, but a release date has yet to be announced.

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