THIS MATERIAL IS A MARKETING COMMUNICATION.
Metaverse: The New Frontier
From the first personal computer to the latest smartphone, we have been interacting with devices with two-dimensional displays. Display technology has evolved to enable thin, high resolution and colourful screens of all sizes, with incremental improvements in digital technology difficult to detect to the human eye.
Yet the real world is three-dimensional (3D) containing companies that build tools, content and games in 3D space. It is only a matter of time before a 3D interface becomes mainstream.
In this article we explore the vision around two important questions: what will this virtual 3D world look like, and what is the optimal hardware design for the interface to this world?
The Internet’s Successor
The term “metaverse” first appeared in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel “Snow Crash” as a shared, virtual 3D world accessible through terminals. In our (alternate) reality, it’s a world that has evolved from the internet, beyond a single game, company, application, or operating system. In a broader sense, it is a universe that is interconnected and spans social presence, work and entertainment, which appears to be straight out of a science fiction novel.
Individuals will be able to do almost everything in the metaverse from video conferences to shopping. Many companies will likely contribute to building out the metaverse, in a similar fashion to how the internet has evolved. The development of several metaverse-specific technology is required in order for the metaverse to work. For example, i.) interchange tools and standards to lay the foundation for building software, ii.) affordable, well-designed hardware to access the metaverse, and iii.) computing power to support the metaverse.
Tech companies are already working on the underlying technology that will enable the metaverse to evolve. Nvidia Omniverse is an open platform that allows virtual collaboration and accurate simulation. Users are able to connect design tools, assets and projects in a shared virtual space. Facebook has launched a public beta for Horizon, an expandable virtual word on its Oculus virtual reality (VR) platform, where users can participate in building the virtual environment. And with that, cryptocurrency built on blockchain technology can also be a potential currency solution for the metaverse.
Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and More
We are still in the early stages of interface design, which plays a critical part in the aesthetic experience of a digital interface. In our view, progress in the hardware aspect, which includes semiconductors, optical and wireless broadband technologies will enable companies to create more affordable, appealing designs. Interface design can be broadly categorised into intrusive and non-intrusive devices. Intrusive solutions such as Neuralink can be another interface in the long run. The mainstream non-intrusive designs include augmented reality (AR) and VR headsets or goggles.
VR is considered the most mature interface among current hardware designs, with Facebook and Sony the leading the supply of VR headsets. We see significant performance improvement in every generation from major VR providers, as companies continue to develop key technologies to turn VR into a mass-market product. As companies race to prepare us for the new era of the metaverse, we’ll be watching closely for developments within this space that will open up new frontiers.
Disclaimer & Information for Investors
No distribution, solicitation or advice: This document is provided for information and illustrative purposes and is intended for your use only. It is not a solicitation, offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security or other financial instrument. The information contained in this document has been provided as a general market commentary only and does not constitute any form of regulated financial advice, legal, tax or other regulated service.
The views and information discussed or referred in this document are as of the date of publication. Certain of the statements contained in this document are statements of future expectations and other forward-looking statements. Views, opinions and estimates may change without notice and are based on a number of assumptions which may or may not eventuate or prove to be accurate. Actual results, performance or events may differ materially from those in such statements. In addition, the opinions expressed may differ from those of other Mirae Asset Global Investments’ investment professionals.
Investment involves risk: Past performance is not indicative of future performance. It cannot be guaranteed that the performance of the Fund will generate a return and there may be circumstances where no return is generated or the amount invested is lost. It may not be suitable for persons unfamiliar with the underlying securities or who are unwilling or unable to bear the risk of loss and ownership of such investment. Before making any investment decision, investors should read the Prospectus for details and the risk factors. Investors should ensure they fully understand the risks associated with the Fund and should also consider their own investment objective and risk tolerance level. Investors are advised to seek independent professional advice before making any investment.
Sources: Information and opinions presented in this document have been obtained or derived from sources which in the opinion of Mirae Asset Global Investments (“MAGI”) are reliable, but we make no representation as to their accuracy or completeness. We accept no liability for a loss arising from the use of this document.
Products, services and information may not be available in your jurisdiction and may be offered by affiliates, subsidiaries and/or distributors of MAGI as stipulated by local laws and regulations. Please consult with your professional adviser for further information on the availability of products and services within your jurisdiction. This document is issued by Mirae Asset Global Investments (HK) Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission.
Information for EU investors pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/1156: This document is a marketing communication and is intended for Professional Investors only. A Prospectus is available for the Mirae Asset Global Discovery Fund (the “Company”) a société d'investissement à capital variable (SICAV) domiciled in Luxembourg structured as an umbrella with a number of sub-funds. Key Investor Information Documents (“KIIDs”) are available for each share class of each of the sub-funds of the Company.
The Company’s Prospectus and the KIIDs can be obtained from www.am.miraeasset.eu/fund-literature/ . The Prospectus is available in English, French, German, and Danish, while the KIIDs are available in one of the official languages of each of the EU Member States into which each sub-fund has been notified for marketing under the Directive 2009/65/EC (the “UCITS Directive”). Please refer to the Prospectus and the KIID before making any final investment decisions.
A summary of investor rights is available in English from www.am.miraeasset.eu/investor-rights-summary/.
The sub-funds of the Company are currently notified for marketing into a number of EU Member States under the UCITS Directive. FundRock Management Company can terminate such notifications for any share class and/or sub-fund of the Company at any time using the process contained in Article 93a of the UCITS Directive.
Hong Kong: This document is intended for Hong Kong investors. Before making any investment decision to invest in the Fund, Investors should read the Fund’s Prospectus and the information for Hong Kong investors (of applicable) of the Fund for details and the risk factors. The individual and Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited may hold the individual securities mentioned. This document is issued by Mirae Asset Global Investments (HK) Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission.
Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission of Mirae Asset Global Investments (Hong Kong) Limited.