Apple, a name synonymous with innovation, has once again made a groundbreaking move by announcing their new Vision Pro “spatial computing” headset. The Vision Pro is more than just a new gadget; it represents a leap into the future. It’s a testament to Apple's commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology and creating immersive experiences that redefine our interaction with the digital world.
Like many, I have lots of different feelings (both excited and feeling slightly underwhelmed) around the product itself and how I expect to engage with AR in the future. Undeniably, though, this launch will have a significant impact on the trajectory of the web3 industry.
At first glance, the connection between Apple's latest AR product and web3 might not be apparent. I wanted to unpack why this seemingly unrelated product launch will propel the web3 industry forward in ways we are only beginning to imagine.
Enhanced Metaverse User Experiences
Over the last 12 months, metaverse and web3 have become synonymous. From Decentraland to Sandbox to Otherside, major web3 platforms launch metaverse platforms, using web3 at their core. The metaverse use case of digital identity, digital ownership, and digital goods has always been a major use case for web3. Adoption has continued to lag in these metaverse platforms, but I believe the launch of Vision Pro will breathe new life into metaverse and AR experiences. It will bring the Apple user experience quality (the best in the world) to interacting with digital assets in an immersive, 3D environment. Vision Pro will also bring a plethora of other hardware developers to the table as they scramble to pick up Apple’s table scraps.
All of this will dramatically increase the “metaverse” user base by millions overnight, a feat none of the existing web3 metaverse platforms could ever dream of accomplishing. The enhanced user experience and adoption curve will be huge for pushing forward other web3 metaverse activations and use cases.
New Opportunities for Developers
For developers, the proliferation of AR opens up a world of new possibilities. Yes, developers have been building on Decentraland, Roblox, and Fortnite for years, but they have been for very specific use cases and campaign activations. When the Vision Pro launches, every company will have a need for 3D product renderings, virtual worlds, and immersive experiences. I believe we’ll see the need for 3D and metaverse designers and developers grow exponentially over the next 24 months.
I believe it also presents really interesting use cases for immersive dApps that leverage AR. Imagine an immersive way to browse Opensea listings, visit OnCyber galleries, or watch a ZED RUN race.
Increasing Value for NFTs and Virtual Assets
The boost in users and AR experiences will also showcase the inherent value of digital goods and NFTs. More and more physical goods will be digitized. Users will view and interact more with virtual assets than ever before in an AR environment. Consumers will have more of a desire to verify and own their virtual, digital assets. To date, all we’ve been able to do is show off our PFP in Decentraland — this will open up a whole new world of possibilities around using virtual goods.
Brands like Nike, Doodles, Adidas, and Yuga Labs are already ahead of the game and will benefit dramatically from this.
Impact on Digital Identity and Privacy
When watching the demo, you quickly understand that the Vision Pro will also have a profound impact on digital identity and privacy in the web3 space. They will inevitably bring more attention to the need for self-sovereign identity, data privacy, data ownership, and verifiable digital identities — all of which are conveniently solved (or being solved) with web3. We believe this leads to a more secure and user-centric internet where individuals have more control over their personal data.
The launch of Apple's Vision Pro marks a new chapter in the convergence of AR and web3. It's a development that promises to bring exciting changes to the web3 industry, opening up new possibilities and opportunities. As we move forward, it will be fascinating to see how this revolutionary technology shapes the future of the decentralized web.
