Saturday 19 March 2022

Web3 vs Metaverse: A comparative study of the most advanced systems of the net universe

(Subhajit M)

Metaverse is Web3 for some tech-savvy people, and vice versa for others!

They cannot remove the dicey concept of the grey area due to a lack of knowledge, and the blockchain concept(overlapping part between meta and web3)is in the nascent stage.It's not new during the revolution of computers or the internet. Even indirect users used to think fax is similar to email. People are still struggling to differentiate the computer application and computer science. So again, welcome the new reformation of tech word. But the expectation of a crystal clear concept of the majority about the newly built system is like catching the lightning in the bottle!

If netizens or users are aware of the future of the internet, they are familiar with the duo name that is Metaverse and Web3. These two most buzzing words stormed social media like Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, Instagram.

In addition, when the internet and tech world try to familiarize itself with Metaverse, discussions on Web3 are also crucial. However, knowing what they are will provide you with a coherent picture of Metaverse versus web 3.0. Moreover, both concepts would have a significant and long-term impact on connectivity's future. Consequently, it is vital to reflect on the differences and applications for the end of the tech universe. It turns out that even though Meta and Web3 are related in some ways, they each describe the different methods.

While these two topics seem similar at first glance, let's simplify how they differ without any hiccup!

How the internet world evolution is taking shape to Metaverse and Web3 era :

In the context of the internet, the word Metaverse combines the prefix meta refers 'beyond' and universe signifies 'verse'.Meta is a future version of the internet that 3d visual and shared spaces connected with the virtual world. Although the term metaverse has only recently become prevalent, it is commonly known that Tim Berners-Lee coined the World Wide Web (www) in 1989. The term 'metaverse' was coined by science fiction writer Neal Stephenson in 1992 to describe a 3D virtual realm.

Web1, also known as syntactic web or read-only web, represents the era 1990-2000 where the user's role in getting the information provided by content producers. There is no way for a user or a consumer to revert the communication to the content creatorsor site owners.Static websites and personal websites are examples of Web 1.0. 

The Web 2.0 era, also known as the Social Web or read-write web, lasted from 2000 to 2010 and continues to this day. It facilitated interaction between web users and sites that allowed users to engage with one another. Every user can now be a content creator, and content is distributed and shared across websites. Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, and other well-known Web 2.0 applications are only a few examples.

Web 3.0, a system which if for read-write-execute, is the era where users can own their data and make their regulayions. The AI and Machine Learning enable computers to analyze data in the same way humans do. Which aid in the intelligent generation and distribution of valuable content according to users' specific needs.

What is Web3 and its application:

As we see, necessity is the mother of invention since era of fire invention. So, the concept of Web3 or Web 3.0 appears to solve some questions:

•How do you feel if your computer can crack the meaning of data?

• What if it can recognize people, businesses, products, data?

• Wouldn't it be if they learn 'what we are interested in?

Web 3.0's objective is to make the most significant aspects of Web 2.0 and decentralize them. Instead of centralizing power by watchdogs or regulators, develop a social media or network where individuals control their data. It is all about security, sovereignty and data privacy.

Users, machines, and the economy will be able to trade value information and collaborate with worldwide counterparties they don't know or explicitly trust without an intermediary, thanks to Web 3.0. The most significant change permitted by Web3.0 is reducing the level of trust necessary for global coordination. Considering that  Cryptocurrency is the first large-scale international use of decentralized computer networks, Web3 is closely linked to it.

Some examples of web3 applications are 

▪︎Bitcoin: World's largest cryptocurrency is a perfect example of a decentralized transaction.

▪︎Apple Siri: Perfect example for Web3( Web 3.0). Since its journey in the iPhone 4S model, Apple's voice-controlled AI assistant has become a usee friendly and has increased its capabilities. Siri can response and personalized requests using speech recognition and artificial intelligence.

▪︎Opensea: It is a blockchain-based marketplace for purchasing and selling NFTs.

▪︎Google Cloud: The tech giant announced to beef up Web3 into a cloud system.


How Metaverse begins :

In a word, the Metaverse is the digital system in which whatever we can imagine can exist. We'll eventually be constantly connected to the Metaverse, allowing us to extend our senses of sight, sound, and touch and mix digital objects into the physical world and enter completely immersive 3D environments whenever we desire. Virtual Reality (or Augmented Reality) is given to this group of technologies.

It's essential to understand what you can do with VR before you start working on strategies for your business. In contrast to social media and websites, Virtual Reality completely changes perceptions of the world around the user. For example, Mr X is wearing a VR headset and comes across an advertisement for his product or service; they won't just see it—they'll feel like they're standing in front of a billboard or TV screen. Instead of clicking on it, they might stroll up to an ad and touch it with their hands!

It was the gaming industry that first adopted Metaverse. Then it is used in 3D avatars, digital currency, virtual towns,3D world, Pain management, surgical training. Games are played using NFT(non-fungible token)and digital currencies (crypto). Apart from gaming, Metaverse usage is most likely observed in healthcare, design, social media, training.

What is metaverse and how does it matter to you ?


Metaverse contains the prefix word meta, which means beyond, and verse denotes the whole universe. So basically, it is about beyond the universe. Author Neil Stephenson used this word in his science fiction book in 1992. It is blockchain technology accelerated by augmented reality. Here participants can play, earn and own NFTs(non-fungible tokens).

But why does it matter to your daily life? 

Suppose during covid or lockdown; you want to have a party with your friends or join your friend's wedding from another country. Then, you can have a meta-party where your friends have a separate entity in digital space.

Suppose you want to provide Cardiopulmonary resuscitation(CPR) during the heart attack of your dear one; you can feel the health worker learning the exact process in the virtual world.


Metaverse is already in action.

1)Gaming industry: Metaverse already stormed the gaming industry with virtual gaming, using meta coin NFT

2)Health care: During health care management, it is used in pain relief management, surgery training, elder health management, and patient communication.

3)Music: You can enjoy a concert by Justin Bieber of the US from your home in India. This imagination is a reality now. Many music concerts go virtual to maintain the pandemic norms.



Why the world is struggling to make firm concept: Meta and Web 3.0

In a technological sense, many of the developments with blockchain provide the overlapping ground of both terminologies. The idea of new blockchain tech and solution is instantly assessed as a prospective module for incorporation into Metaverse's Web 3.0 engine, which will power goods and services.

Many social media users strongly think that artificial intelligence will be primarily involved in the Web3 system. This is because any Web3 application needs a machine to machine lined network. Of course, it is possible to construct web3 systems without involving the Metaverse – the cryptodaddy Bitcoin world is an example – but metaverse technology and experiences are expected to play a significant role in how many of these applications interact with our lives.

Taking everything into account, experts claimed the Metaverse is the gateway of the WEB3.0 world. There are no watchdogs or centralized bodies on the internet. Instead, an internet administered by a decentralized community of nodes provides users worldwide with open, permissionless, censorship-resistant access to exchange value and information on their terms. Furthermore, an immersive internet allows users to own digitally and freely move data and content.

 

Relationship between Meta and Web3: Is Metaverse gateway to Web3? 

1) Democratic set up:

Tech giants want to control the Metaverse with business buy out or reformation, but the perfect Metaverse should not only break technological barriers by providing an unrivalled user experience, but it should also provide an opportunity to change the prominent tech business paradigm that we've all come to despise. Web3 innovators establish platforms that aim to empower people rather than operating services geared to extract monetary value from users. Users, if not the proprietors in the classic sense of the word, are the beneficiaries of truly independent works.You can be the owner of Metaverse and Web3 data.

2) Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO): 

The ideal Metaverse can be imagined through the building blocks laid down by decentralized independent organizations, or DAOs. The world is only now realizing the transformational potential of DAOs.So you can see web3 or Metaverse both are batting for decentralized internet body. Everybody has the power to rule and regulate.

3) Unique network build-up :

During Covid 19, we see how businesses are taking reshape and focusing on controlling everything remotely, without touch. It needs an unparallel network in the case of Metaverse or web3 tech. Users will want to invite their friends and family to join to share in the rewards and help make the network a better place to hang out. The more people who join, the more developers want to create third-party apps and services to tap into this increasing community of active users.

4) Some similar objectives, bt...

At first glance, they look like an inevitable link to one another. The Metaverse continues to exist on the surface and the deep web, even though Web 3.0 is still frequently referred to as "decentralized"; however, the Metaverse will remain "centralized" in terms of social media controlling platforms. But this industry is under construction stage; more to come in this decade.

5) Advancement of learning :

Both will be cutting-edge technology that will evolve. The nextgen tech will make use of artificial intelligence and a a data rotating platfomr with user interface. Meta and Web3 both focus on next-generation internet system and changing the way people share or own content online. Both technologies make it easier for people to enter the digital world through the internet of things( IoT).

Another reason they're commonly confused is that they're very similar in several aspects. The technology behind web3 – which includes blockchain. The blockchain allows you to own digital goods as a 3d entity n the virtual world(VR). It is not like the Metaverse and Crypto has a north pole vs south pole entity. They are different despite some common grounds.


Difference of Web3 and Metaverse, simplified : 

1) Objective

Web 3.0 is first and foremost, an advancement over Web 2.0, and it is the technology that allows online activities to be carried out on it.Metaverse potrayed a next level system where technology enables humans to enter the digital domain.

2)Application

Remember that Web 3.0 is the process engine that uses the blockchain's advances. Metaverse is a new dimension that includes health, game, film, concert, entertainment, social platforms, education, virtual training techniques that employ Web 3.0 advances to achieve their goals.

3)Fundamental difference

The Metaverse is home to several critical technologies that help run the entire ecosystem. To build the Metaverse, connection, interfaces, decentralization, a creator economy, and advanced technology are all required. Web 3.0's goal was to establish a decentralized web solely based on blockchain and bitcoin. Blockchain, managed by a decentralized network of computers, allows users to interact with online services. Web 3.0 has target to use of public blockchain technology to give unrestricted,non regulated, permissionless access to everyone with an internet connection.

4) Potraits of Metaverse and Web3

Of course, the important point of comparison is the portraits of web 3.0 and Metaverse. The Metaverse is a virtual reality computer domain where you can interact with three-dimensional things, moving the world from 2D to 3D. Web 3.0 allows users to create, control, and monetize their content. As a result, web 3.0 is a vision for the next version internet world to end monopoly of tevh giants. In addition, people have control over their creations.

5) Perception of different ways 

 While Web 3.0 is primarily concerned with who will rule( tech giants or individuals) and govern the internet in the future, the Metaverse is concerned with how users will interact with it. The majority of people now use computers, cellphones, and tablets to navigate websites and apps. Proponents of the Metaverse believe that we will utilize Virtual Reality (VR) technology to enter the internet tomorrow, navigating between virtual realms as digital avatars.

By making on the blockchain system for both of them one after another, data is owned, open,well-distributed and collectively owned by peer-to-peer networks, it can find to do business through VR.

6)Basic Technology

Let's make a set of basic technology behind the web3 process; blockchain, decentralized autonomous organization, and cryptocurrency. The crypto body emerged as the world's first decentralized step towards web3.

On the other hand, the Metaverse is built upon the basis of augmented reality,Human interface,edge computing,creator economy, NFTs,Multitasking UI,5g and wifi 6g(at budding stage).


7) Ownership battle:

The objective of web3 is to keep the internet out of the monopoly of tech giants and make it public controlled property. The most successful examples are the crypto world bitcoin market.

On the other hand, tech mammoths are starting reformation or trying to acquire metaverse firms to control this world already. However, experts assured that public internet control would make it tough for corporations to own the meta world.

Check this summary table : Difference between Web3 and Metaverse



 

The Upshot :

This system is said to be the future of the internet, which means it is in the developing stage. So we can't decide who controls what or how much time they can retain different paths in the future.This under-construction body needs some more time to cultivate more clarity.

As a whole, after this 360° view, it is clear that web 3.0 and the Metaverse both compliment each other wonderfully. It's easy to see how Metaverse and web 3.0 are becoming more intertwined and interdependent. The Metaverse is a digital realm, and web 3.0 advocates for a decentralized network, which might serve as the Metaverse's foundation for connectivity. Metaverse is a digital realm where Web 3.0 promotes a decentralized and more democratic web system. 


  




Web3 vs Metaverse: A comparative study of the most advanced systems of the net universe (Subhajit M) Metaverse is Web3 for some tech-savvy p...