The company Nokia believes that mobile phones will disappear in the near future. And it is believed that this has to do with the Metaverse. However, the Metaverse is currently facing some problems.
Many people now own and use a mobile phone. According to statistics, around 3.9 billion people worldwide have a smartphone. Now the company Nokia has stated that in a few years mobile phones will no longer be important. Because they are to be replaced by another technology.
6 myths and tips about mobile phones that you shouldn’t believe
Mobile phones will disappear by 2030 and be “outdated”
What exactly is being said? Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer of Nokia, stated in an interview that mobile phones will disappear in less than 10 years. But what will replace the devices then? Batra explained in the interview (via jeuxvideo.com):
We believe that smartphones will be overtaken by the experience of the Metaverse in the second half of the decade. (…)
The widespread acceptance of the technology by companies and consumers will be crucial for it to truly gain momentum, and this will also depend on the availability of ergonomic and affordable VR and AR devices that are wirelessly connected.
Batra also refers to large companies like Meta or Apple that are investing in the Metaverse.
How is the Metaverse doing? The Metaverse is currently far from all predictions and hopes. Companies like Meta (Facebook) are making millions in losses with the Metaverse. Meta, the company behind Facebook, laid off 11,000 employees (via nytimes.com). With the first ideas from Meta about the Metaverse, they mainly unsettled and shocked people.
Others even say, “the hype around the Metaverse is finally dying down” and are already waiting for the next project that could follow (via lbbonline.com). Others, like journalist Stephen Moore, fear that the Metaverse might only become interesting in 10 years – only to find that no one will care about it then (via stephenmoore.medium.com).
A legendary game developer also considers the Metaverse and NFTs to be a pretty bad idea:
Does the Metaverse really replace mobile phones?
Currently, the Metaverse is rather limited to niche products and other small products. We are still far from a “Ready Player One” in our everyday lives. Additionally, many products are quite expensive and currently not very helpful in everyday life. Nevertheless, many companies are developing new products:
- Apple will soon release a mixed-reality headset.
- Xiaomi has already unveiled an AR glasses, the Mijia Glass Camera.
However, it is still unclear whether and how successful these products will ultimately be. And the price is still unknown. Nevertheless, Nokia maintains its position and believes that the Metaverse will replace smartphones by 2030.
For the Metaverse to reach general users in the future, it needs technology that is available at an affordable price and is just as easy to use as today’s mobile phones.
Even the head of Steam/Valve, gaming legend Gabe Newell, is launching a broadside against new NFTs or the Metaverse. Because those who talk about the Metaverse have no idea:
Steam boss Newell says: Many who rave about the Metaverse have probably never played an MMO
