The way that businesses communicate with their target audience is so vital, and with the high velocity that technology is innovating, that communication is easier now than ever. With new metaverse technology developments, communicating with audiences comes in many forms such as Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, social media and even video games! These platforms are vast and diverse, so, it’s no doubt that within due time, immersive communication will become a new norm in the world of business.
So, what does immersive communication look like for the business of the future?
Augmented Reality will combine the world we see through our own eyes with the digital world using AR Goggles like the Microsoft HoloLens or Ray Bans Stories. CEO of Meta, Mark Zuckerberg predicts that soon, Augmented Reality glasses will be as prevalent as smart phones are now. While many of these technologies are not as easily obtainable for consumers as Virtual Reality, sooner or later, we will all be walking around with glasses that at least come with a display.
Here are some examples of AR Glasses that are expected to be coming to the market soon.
Meta has been developing their own Augmented Reality glasses code name Project Nazare that gives us a glimpse into what the world might look like through AR Lenses.
Apple is also developing their own AR glasses, however it will be some time before we actually end up wearing a pair, this is everything we know so far.
However, Augmented Reality technology is not only developed for these expensive glasses, but also for smart phones and can be seen every day on Snapchat filters, Instagram posts, and much more.
Businesses using Augmented Reality to communicate with consumers
Wayfair
Furniture retailer Wayfair has announced they are heavily investing in upgrading their app “View in Room” which allows shoppers to use their phone to scan their environment and see how the furniture would look in their home. This technology is very effective for furniture retailers, and Apple announced that consumers are 11 times more likely to purchase furniture if they can see it in their home before they buy it. This research is so accurate that even retail giant Ikea is stepping up to the plate to develop the Ikea “Studio App” which, like “View in Room,” allows consumers to see how the furniture looks in their space prior to making a purchase .
Walmart
Walmart announced in October 2020 that they will be testing new technologies at 4 locations around the United States. One of these technologies utilizes AR technology to help in the inventory process. Walmart has been working to develop a stronger online presence by having comparable inventory both online and in-store, this means combining their in-store inventory with their online inventory. Whenever someone orders an item online, augmented reality will search for that inventory in the store to highlight the items that fulfill that order. This will get rid of the “in-the-store-not-online” problem that they have had in the past and allow them to transition their store into fulfillment centers.
ASOS
ASOS has always been a front runner in developing applications for augmented reality.It all started with their virtual catwalk, which allowed prospective buyers to see 100 different ASOS designs in Augmented Reality. However, once COVID-19 hit and the models had to work from home, they needed a new way to uniquely showcase their clothing for the online store. Their solution to this was implementing an AR system that puts images of the clothing on the models, but this technology advanced into an app that allows buyers to preview the clothing on their OWN bodies instead.
Learn more about "See my fit" here.
Businesses using Blockchain Technology to communicate with consumers
Rebel AI
Rebel AI brings blockchain-enabled security solutions to brands, agencies & publishers to ensure brand-safe media trading. They use a blockchain verification system to help marketing teams get more accurate reporting from their campaigns. The teams are given unique identities to help combat domain spoofing, which can obscure marketing data.
Lucidity
Lucidity is the only ad verification company that uses blockchain verification for digital marketers and advertisers. Lucidity uses a blockchain verification system to create more accurate reporting for marketing teams. This platform uses a contract system that authenticates campaign data and prevents fraud by not reporting bot engagement.
Loyyal
Rather than authenticate marketing events for reporting, Loyyal is using blockchain tokenization to help directly engage with consumers. The Loyyal platform traces loyalty tokens throughout the rewards process so marketing teams can personalize promotions based on an individual’s behavior.
Bitclave
Bitclave is building an open, public, decentralized marketplace to efficiently match sellers with buyers’ needs. Bitclave uses their platform to reward users with crypto by sharing personal data such as e-mails, phone numbers, names, etc. This can be very effective for building an email list, a marketing report, etc.
Chlu
Chlu (pronounced “clue”) is a search and reputation platform for web 3.0. Chlu uses their platform to authenticate purchases so only users who are verified purchasers can leave reviews on your business. This can be vital when trying to prevent fake reviews for your business and can go a long way for keeping your reputation secure.
Businesses using Virtual Reality to uniquely communicate with consumers
The Metaverse Festival
The Metaverse Festival was held in Decentraland on October 21-24th and had acts like Deadmau5 and Paris Hilton play for a crowd of digital fans who were on computers and VR headsets. The festival was one of the first of its kind and had NFT giveaways, games, and music. The festival also had a myriad of company sponsors ranging from crypto to alcohol brands This is one example of the many ways that companies are connecting with their audience using VR in a metaverse; by putting on a virtual event or by participating as a virtual sponsor.
Metaverse Festival Official Site
Sandbox
Another way that these companies are connecting in the metaverse is in another virtual world called Sandbox. Sandbox is like Decentraland, it is a decentralized metaverse that has games, NFTs, and other adventures for users to explore. If you look at the Sandbox map, you can see all the plots of land and who owns all of them. EDM DJ Deadmau5 owns a plot of land in Sandbox and uses it to create interactive experiences for his fans, much like veteran rapper Snoop Dogg. Atari has a virtual arcade inside of the Sandbox platform where users can go play Atari games. Many companies are even building digital storefronts to help sell their services. Even Warner Music Group has purchased one of the largest land plots on the entire platform and plans to develop a virtual space where their artists can virtually interact with fans. These companies and many more are creating interactive environments so consumers can engage with their brand on a whole new level.
We may have a long way to go before these technologies find their way into our everyday lives, but hopefully this blog can help you start thinking of innovative ways to grow your business and turn it into a business of the future!