BY MARK E. FORSTER
As we were debating the merits of various VR headsets and discussing the release of Apple’s long-rumored VR glasses, a realization dawned on us: the device that truly reigns supreme in our digital world is the one that’s always by our side — the smartphone. As the metaverse continues to evolve and expand, it’s becoming increasingly clear that these versatile little devices will play a crucial role in our journey into this new frontier. So, let’s put aside the VR headset debates for now and join together in exploring the endless possibilities that await us in the metaverse, accessible right from the palm of our hands.
In previous editions of Adello Magazine, we have explored and shared ideas about Extended Reality (XR), which includes Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) and its relation to the metaverse. Besides highlighting the exciting opportunities XR opens for users and businesses, we also expressed our critical views towards XR in general and described its limitations and existing problems.
In order to dot the i’s and cross the t’s, we would like to explain why XR is not the golden key into the metaverse and how the metaverse is mobile-first.
“The metaverse is mobile-first.” This thought may seem quite controversial at first glance. Let’s dive into the detailed explanation and the arguments supporting this view.
The Metaverse: Expectation vs. Reality
To begin this discussion, we must acknowledge that metaverse development is still in its infancy. Just as mothers envision their children growing up to achieve greatness, each tech visionary has a unique, idealized vision of the mature metaverse.
In an ideal world, users would seamlessly immerse themselves in the metaverse, experiencing a continuous fusion of physical and digital realms. This limitless, decentralized world should elevate inter-human communication and co-creation, fostering a more inclusive and equal society.
We shouldn’t assume a single meta-world will exist. Similar to today’s Internet, the metaverse will be vast and immeasurable.
Think about it: the vast Internet the average user can access and see is actually only about (an estimated) 4% of the entire Internet. 96% remains hidden in the deep and dark web!
Device and Persona Variability
Access to the metaverse depends on the device and persona you choose. As we use different devices and browsers to access the Internet now, various personas can represent us uniquely. How do different profile photos vary across platforms like CVs, LinkedIn, Tinder, and Facebook? In the metaverse, avatars are disconnected from our physical selves, allowing for greater expression of desires and imagination. Actually, avatars can be distant versions of our real selves.
Coming back to metaverse access, to ensure a fully immersive, seamless experience, we, as users, will have a choice of devices to enter the meta-worlds. These can be lightweight glasses, lenses, 3D-rendered holograms, projections, or any other emerging technology.
This idealized version of the metaverse will set the vector for how software and hardware technology must develop.
Today, there is a misconception that to glimpse the current metaverse, one must have VR glasses. This is partly due to Meta (formerly Facebook) promoting their platform as the true metaverse, accessible via Oculus VR glasses. But is it realistic to believe we will spend hours daily wearing a VR headset, essentially a phone strapped to our heads with a battery life of just about 2 hours?
The Dominance of Smartphones
While we are excited by VR headsets, that point of view seems delusional. Worldwide, we have about 6.4 billion smartphones and about 25 million VR headsets (which, ask people who have them, are barely used after the first weeks of excitement).
Unfortunately for Meta, the numbers don’t add up to a successful business case with mass adoption: it took the iPhone 2.5 years to hit 50 million sold devices, while the iPad took just 1.5 years.
Success Strategies in Today’s Metaverse
Unsurprisingly, successful metaverse platforms like Roblox or Spatial allow their users to be present in the meta-reality by using a smartphone or computer (the metaverse 2D experience). This strategy is quite successful. Up to 83% of gamers use smartphones as their main gaming device. A successful metaverse might just require us to be open about a multitude of access possibilities.
In one of our recent Adello Magazine editions, Gabriele Romagnoli, Head of Business at ShapesXR and Senior Advisor at Iconomy, shared:
“I think there are right now a lot of attempts to do that [to create a metaverse in 2D]. Some of them are really successful. Think about Roblox and other platforms for the desktop, for instance. Those became immediately successful and gained a broad audience. If the metaverse is a single environment that is interconnected with others, then the first step into it is to provide a platform for people. That can be anything, even mobile, so people will get used to it. And after that, you can implement immersive technologies like VR headsets, etc.”
Indeed, why create user acquisition barriers by forcing them to buy VR headsets to enter the underdeveloped 3D environment of the metaverse when you can give them seamless access via devices they already own and love?
This is important because the ability to enter the metaverse via smartphone or desktop sets an absolutely different direction for the metaverse development and may even accelerate it. Furthermore, it is already happening.
Even Meta goes Mobile
During Meta Connect 2022, Vishal Shah, VP of the Metaverse at Meta, and Andrew Bosworth, CTO at Meta, discussed the vision of exploring Horizont World via the web. Shah praised the experience as elevating connectivity to a new level. However, without immersive VR goggles like the Quest, the experience is comparable to using a web browser or mobile device. Bosworth hinted at Meta’s strategy to engage people in this alternative experience.
“We can’t give everyone an immersive experience,” he continued, “but it’ll be a while before there are enough headsets out there.”
That is how Meta is working on a mobile and web version of its Horizon Worlds virtual reality platform. In fact, users will be able to join Meta World without having a Quest VR headset. In addition, there are discussions about releasing Horizon Worlds on game consoles.
Why Mobile?
Smartphones have been a staple in our daily lives for over a decade. It has evolved from basic bricks to complex smart devices. From adding a calendar and games to color screens and internet access, the possibilities are endless.
Now, the metaverse is available on mobile, offering a new level of experience, even though it may not be as immersive as other devices. However, mobile devices still offer unique benefits for users.
Affordability
Certainly, buying a VR headset is more affordable today than it was three years ago. Nevertheless, while everyone has a smartphone, a VR headset is a “nice-to-have” gadget with limited functionality and a bulky build that few people are ready to invest in. Why buy VR for the Metaverse when you can try it on your smartphone?
Convenience
The inescapable truth is that the VR glasses that exist today and are available for the masses are bulky and heavy. In comparison, mobile phones fit in the pocket and are always with users by default. On top of that, the smartphone’s battery life is far superior (ca. 10h) to that of an average VR headset (ca. 2h).
Adoption
The adoption of new concepts, like the metaverse, is usually faster and smoother through familiar channels. For the moment, smartphones remain the number-one device. People have been using them for years and now have most of their sensitive information (like banking, photos, messages, contacts, and social media access) connected to mobile devices.
A second thought
Even though the idea of the metaverse on mobile seems quite attractive, it has flaws. Considering the idealized concept of 3D immersive worlds, it may seem that mobile prevents the metaverse’s development toward immersiveness. What if the majority of users are getting settled into the “second-class metaverse”? What if we come across stagnation in the hardware and software development for the immersive metaverse?
This problem generates another one that may have already occurred in your mind. How is this mobile metaverse any different from mobile games? Isn’t it a step back?
No.
Unlike traditional games, the metaverse operates in real-time and without limits. It exists as a parallel universe where time flows continuously, users shape the course of events, and the world evolves. Every action and creation is permanent and unable to be reset. Here, everyone has the opportunity to achieve greatness without contending with the biased rules and algorithms of social networks. Community solidarity holds more weight than sponsored voices, distinguishing the metaverse from any digital game.
For now, it’s too early to evaluate mobile’s full impact on the metaverse. One optimistic point remains clear. Using mobile as an entry point into the metaverse will accelerate its growth. And if history has taught us one lesson, it is that more users and usage drive innovation.
