From the Metaverse: A Weekly Roundup of Key Developments

The Metaverse, a dynamic realm offering a constant flux of virtual experiences, presents an ever-expanding opportunity to delve into a perpetually evolving digital world. Staying abreast of the latest trends and updates allows you to explore thrilling experiences and connect with a global community. Discover how staying informed about the Metaverse can open doors to limitless possibilities.

Tripadvisor’s Virtual Voyage into the Metaverse

In a groundbreaking move, Tripadvisor is set to launch a Metaverse experience later this year. The concept revolves around users virtually visiting attractions in popular destinations such as Paris, Dubai, New York, Chicago, and Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas before making travel reservations.

Adam Ochman, Tripadvisor’s Global Director of Marketing Solutions, highlights the significance: “Traveling around the world or exploring your backyard or the entire country, whatever it may be, is one of the most expensive things you can buy without trying it beforehand.”

While specific details remain undisclosed, Tripadvisor plans to collaborate with travel agencies and businesses to create digital spaces for users to explore. The virtual experience may encompass elements of e-commerce, gaming, and social networking.

AI Reshaping the Metaverse Landscape at CES 2024

Following recent disappointments in cryptocurrencies and NFTs, a wave of disruptive technologies is set to reignite interest in the Metaverse. Neil Trevett, Nvidia’s Vice President of Developer Ecosystems, emphasized during CES 2024 that despite public setbacks, work on the Metaverse continues. Many companies have invested in its application, particularly in industrial use cases like digital twins.

Trevett envisions a fusion of spatial computing immersion with advanced networks and global web connectivity, presenting exciting prospects for businesses venturing into the Metaverse.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse Avatar Controversy

Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse avatar, subjected to mockery, reportedly emerged during Meta CEO’s attendance at Sheryl Sandberg’s wedding. Bloomberg reports that Zuckerberg was displeased when his Metaverse avatar became a topic of conversation at the event.

Mark Zuckerberg reportedly got mad that someone at Sheryl Sandberg's wedding brought up his widely mocked metaverse avatar https://t.co/Q5p3Zc3SfR

— Business Insider (@BusinessInsider) January 11, 2024

Though the specifics of the interaction remain unclear, this incident prompted Zuckerberg to reevaluate his PR team’s representation of Meta’s products. Consequently, several members of the PR team were reassigned within the company.

Siemens and Sony Collaborate for Industrial Metaverse Exploration

Siemens and Sony, targeting digital creators, are set to launch Metaverse-focused headphones later in 2024. Siemens, a German multinational technology conglomerate, partners with Sony to delve into the Metaverse, emphasizing industrial applications. The collaboration introduces a new mixed reality headset, catering specifically to professional designers and engineers rather than gamers.

In an interview with CNBC, Siemens CEO Roland Busch states that the AI-equipped mixed reality headphones aim to enhance the productivity of creators and manufacturers. The device, complemented by Siemens software, including cutting and 3D software, is tailored for professional designers.

Banco de Bogotá Leading the Charge into the Metaverse

In a pioneering move, Banco de Bogotá has embraced the Metaverse as the epicenter for training and collaboration among its teams. The recent Agile Week at the bank solidified the Metaverse’s role in creating a harmonious work and learning environment, bringing together over 10,000 collaborators.

For Banco de Bogotá, the Metaverse signifies more than just technology; it’s about thinking beyond conventional limits. By combining hybrid, in-person, and virtual modalities, the bank has successfully reached all its collaborators dispersed across different locations in the country, breaking down physical and generational barriers.

Oscar Bernal, Vice President of Technology and Operations at Banco de Bogotá, highlights the Metaverse’s transformative impact on both work and learning. According to Bernal, this journey into the Metaverse is only the beginning for Banco de Bogotá, as they remain open to new possibilities and opportunities offered by this transformative technology.

See also: Metaverse Made Simple – The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Metaverse