The all-encompassing virtual world of The Metaverse is still far from really, especially as new cutting-edge headsets are still far from where they need to be. Despite the virtual world being so far off, a new Metaverse Open Standards group has been formed to make sure the future internet isn’t a complete dumpster fire.
What is the Metaverse Open Standards Group?
The Metaverse Open Standards Group is a coalition of 36 tech companies working on their own virtual platforms. Consisting of companies like Meta, Microsoft, Epic Games and more, the group will create the foundation for what Metaverses should be.
One of the main goals of this group is to make sure that the terminology of Metaverses are clearly defined between platforms. Similar to how the World Wide Web uses common and fixed lexicon, this will be a way of limiting confusion between different worlds.
However, none of the group’s early statements say anything about connecting platforms like the fictional idea of Metaverses. Instead, it appears that every platform will still have segregated user bases from other ones.
The group doesn’t just consist of massive companies like Meta and Microsoft. In fact, Lamina1 — a Metaverse founded by the term’s creator Neal Stephenson — will also be a part of crafting the makeup of virtual worlds. Additionally, Nvidia, Qualcomm and more are on board.
“Industry leaders have stated that the potential of the metaverse will be best realized if it is built on a foundation of open standards,” reads the group’s first press release. “Building an open and inclusive metaverse at pervasive scale will demand a constellation of open interoperability standards.”
Read More: Meta’s new headset prototypes prove the true Metaverse is years away
Apple is nowhere to be seen
One of the most curious aspects about the Metaverse Open Standards Group is the lack of any presence from Apple. The iPhone company is working on its own Augmented Reality and Virtual Realty hardware.
While initially the company claimed it wasn’t interested in the Metaverse, the company appears to have changed its mind. This means that Apple may be working on a virtual platform, and it’ll be tightly controlled like iOS and MacOS.
Apple could end up going the group once its Metaverse plans are finalised. At the time of writing, it would appear that the company is just getting started with its virtual future.