The Metaverse is a fancy term for accessing online worlds via the Internet. Gaming environments are a prime example. Online meeting spaces (avatar meetings) are another example. We can imagine a world where buying a home or purchasing an automobile take place in a virtual environment. We believe that every Software company of size will eventually incorporate some combination of AR/MR/VR (augmented reality, mixed reality, virtual reality) into their product and services portfolio. Here are a handful of Technology companies – public and private – that offer plays on AR/MR/VR.
- Alphabet (GOOG): We expect Alphabet’s Google unit to continue to invest heavily in both AR and VR. Learn more about Google’s AR and VR efforts HERE.
- Apple (AAPL): Apple is working on a variety of AR and VR projects including headsets. See Apple’s AR presentation HERE.
- Autodesk (ADSK): Autodesk’s 3D modeling capabilities are deployed across a variety of industries including Infrastructure/Engineering/Construction and Media & Entertainment. Learn more HERE.
- CoStar Group (CSGP): Over the past 35 years CoStar has created a virtual world for Commercial Real Estate (CRE).
- Epic Games (private): Epic’s Unreal Engine is an open real-time 3D creation tool for photoreal visuals and immersive experiences.
- Magic Leap (private): After a brush with bankruptcy Magic Leap found a second life in the Fed-driven capital markets where moral hazard, debt abuse and executive mismanagement abound.
- Meta Platforms/Facebook (FB): The company formerly known as Facebook changed its name to “Meta Platforms” or “Meta” to symbolize that it wants to lead the charge to the Metaverse. Meta entered the VR space approximately 7 years ago when it acquired Oculus, the VR headset manufacturer. The Oculus name was recently retired at Facebook Connect. If you are interested in Meta’s vision of the Metaverse, watch Zuckerberg’s Keynote at the YouTube link below.
- Microsoft (MSFT): Owner of the X-Box gaming platform as well as gaming publisher Bethesda Softworks. Further, MSFT has incorporated AR elements into its productivity tools and subsequently coined the term “Mixed Reality” which is a Marketing positioning term and has zero to do with differentiated AR intellectual property. Learn about Microsoft’s “Mixed Reality” headset – HoloLens – HERE.
- Nvidia (NVDA): Nvidia designs the hardware infrastructure used to build games among other applications. See our piece about Nvidia’s autonomous gaming design capability HERE.
- Unity Technologies (U): Unity Pro and Unity Gaming Services are examples of Unity offerings that enable the design and execution of 3D real time experiences whether for commercial application or recreational activities.