During the development of blockchain technology adoption, we often hear Web3 and the metaverse. Both are expected to be a new era in the digital world. But what is the difference between Web3 and metaverse?
Although often associated, Web3 and metaverse are different. However, both of them can still go hand in hand. So then, do both have an essential role in the future?
Web3: What is it?
If we say Web3, of course, we are currently on Web2 and have left Web1. Built on distributed blockchain technology and Decentralised Autonomous Organisations, Web3 is a decentralised internet (DAO).
The core of this technology is a server controlled by a company or an individual. Web1 was the early era of internet presence, around 1991 to 2004. Now, the internet is still only a place to share information.
On Web2, the shared information content begins to vary from user to user. Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and so on have been present in the era of Web2, which continues to be our current era.
Blockchain technology can finally strengthen the assumption of the existence of the next version of the internet, namely Web3. By linking the two, Web3 is a more expansive, diverse internet with decentralised information storage.
The presence of a decentralised browser and NFT is also considered to be an early marker for Web3. This is because servers and networks run on programmes in Web3, where data is also kept. This simple explanation leads us to the difference between Web3 and metaverse.
What is metaverse?
If Web3 is the internet, then the metaverse is a more futuristic form of presenting information content. Metaverse is an abbreviation between the natural world and the virtual world. Within the metaverse, customers can engage with apps and services more intensely.
The science fiction book Avalanche by Neil Stephenson, which discusses the virtual reality world, is where the phrase “metaverse” originally arose. But since, the idea has grown more widely accepted thanks to books and movies.
Now, the development of metaverse technology is speedy, following the story of science fiction. While web2 presents information in two dimensions, the metaverse allows interaction in three dimensions.
Also Read: Fostering emotional companionship in the metaverse
Present in various fields, such as games and virtual worlds to do many things, including work, socialising, or even social media, the metaverse will make it feel more natural.
The difference between Web3 and metaverse
Web3 is the third generation of the World Wide Web, while the metaverse is a hypothetical virtual reality world where users can realistically interact with each other and digital objects.
Web3 is based on the semantic web idea. This idea is a system of related data that machines can understand. Metaverse, on the other hand, is based on the notion of virtual reality and artificial intelligence. The notion of a metaverse allows users to interact more realistically.
Web3 and the metaverse are still largely theoretical concepts today, but many experts believe both technologies will play a significant role in the future of the web.
Are Web3 and metaverse similar?
Many people still need help figuring out the difference between Web3 and metaverse. First, very few people are familiar with Web3 and the metaverse. Both are developed by numerous individuals and organisations using other concepts.
For instance, by 2021, Facebook claims to have invested at least US$10 billion in the metaverse project. However, their perspective differs from that of others who think the metaverse should be fragmented and not be in the hands of powerful businesses.
Second, Web3 has been used to refer to both Web3 and the metaverse at various times. The inclusion merely highlights that both are the third significant version of the internet.
Additionally, to differentiate Web3 from the prior web, some individuals merely refer to it as the next version of the immersive web. The description is a metaverse, to put it another way.
Another reason why the difference between Web3 and metaverse is challenging to define is that they intersect in several significant ways.
Final thoughts
The metaverse is a virtual world that allows users to interact and experience life in a new way. This world blurs the line between digital and physical, allowing people to use their real-world identities and create online personas that represent them perfectly.
Web3 is an extension offering more opportunities for users to connect and share information. While we find the difference between Web3 and metaverse, they offer users a unique way to communicate and engage with others online.
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