Apple Skips Participation in Metaverse Standards Organization, Which Enlists Meta, Microsoft, and Other Notable Entities
Tech titans like Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, Sony, and others have formed an inclusive group, aiming to foster interoperability within the metaverse. Regrettably, tech giant Apple has yet to join this venture, despite rumors of its involvement in mixed reality products.
This latest metaverse organization envisions enabling communication between various companies, allowing different visions of the metaverse to cooperate and generate market opportunities. The Metaverse Standards Forum, as the group is named, isn't a new standards organization but rather a collective that aims to outline requirements and offer support to existing ones. The forum maintains that it isn't intent on defining the metaverse or compelling businesses to adopt particular technologies.
The founding members of this Metaverse Standards Forum include the likes of Adobe, Ikea, Huawei, Epic Games, Qualcomm, and Unity. With more than 35 companies involved, the organization is actively recruiting, welcoming any company to join, including those in the cryptocurrency sector.
The absence of Apple from this collective raises eyebrows, given the tech giant's significant presence in virtual and augmented reality. In the past, Apple has participated in establishing industry-wide standards, such as HTML5 for the web and Thunderbolt in partnership with Intel. At its WWDC 2022 event, Apple demonstrated its commitment to Matter, a smart home connectivity standard.
When asked about why Apple isn't a member of this metaverse organization, Apple has remained silent. One speculation points to Apple's criticism of Meta's practices, particularly the high fees charged to creators selling digital assets. However, Apple's stance on the Metaverse Standards Forum is unclear without official confirmation.
As for Apple's metaverse plans, recent reports suggest that the company may be working on an AR/VR headset with cutting-edge features such as dual 8K displays, hand-tracking cameras, and a steep price tag of around $3,000. Inside the platform, developers have discovered references to "realityOS," hinting at Apple's involvement in the virtual realm.
Meta, too, seems to be making strides in the metaverse with the announcement of a high-end VR headset, Project Cambria, which promises an immersive virtual and augmented reality experience.
[1] The Metaverse Standards Forum boasts 2,600 members supporting metaverse interoperability standards.[3] Companies like Facebook, Microsoft, and Google are building their own versions of the metaverse, which could hinder interoperability due to financial incentives and lack of a common standard.
- The Metaverse Standards Forum, with tech giants like Qualcomm among its members, is working towards establishing metaverse technology standards to ensure interoperability.
- The absence of Apple in the Metaverse Standards Forum could potentially impact the baking of consistent and seamless tech experiences across various metaverse platforms.
- The future of the metaverse might depend on the successful implementation of interoperability standards, as championed by organizations like the Metaverse Standards Forum, which includes companies like Epic Games and Qualcomm.
- The Metaverse Standards Forum, with Qualcomm and other tech companies participating, is vital in promoting the tech community's collaboration, ensuring that the metaverse remains an open and inclusive space for innovation.