Bill Gates thinks we’ll be working in the Metaverse in three years

Picture: Microsoft

Microsoft founder Bill Gates believes in a 3D future with avatar meetings in the Metaverse. In just two to three years, many meetings will be held in 3D instead of 2D.

In the annual review of his own blog, Microsoft founder Bill Gates reflects on the course and social effects of the corona pandemic. Gates is confident that the acute course of the pandemic will end within the next year. Nonetheless, he expects some of the changes triggered by the pandemic to be permanent – ​​for example in digital work.

From 2D video conferencing to 3D avatar meetings

Gates, pictured wearing Meta’s Quest 2 VR glasses, expects ‘most virtual meetings in the next two or three years to pass 2D camera grids […] evolve into the Metaverse, a 3D space with digital avatars.

Meta and Microsoft have already presented their respective visions. However, those who are interested need “something like VR goggles and motion gloves”, which many people don’t yet have.

This in turn slows the spread of 3D meetings. Video conferencing has also spread so quickly because most people already have video conferencing-enabled PCs and smartphones. Microsoft’s Metaverse teams should therefore also be able to animate avatars via webcam.

He was also able to test a number of prototype 3D avatars with surround sound so you can hear which direction you are being spoken to: “We realize how unusual it is for the sound of a meeting not to come from than the computer speaker when trying something different. There’s still work to be done, but we’re approaching the threshold where technology can truly emulate the experience of being together in the office,” wrote Gates.

What is Microsoft doing for the Metaverse?

Many, even if the investments – at least from the outside – do not reach those of the Meta and Microsoft XR subjects have not yet been placed on the top step of the podium.

Also, there was a small false start: Microsoft was active in PC VR early on with the Windows VR initiative, but largely pulled out of the market due to the slow spread, except selected cooperations such as with HP Reverb or products such as the Flight Simulator.

With Mesh, Microsoft recently presented a technical infrastructure for the 3D office metaverse of the future. Mesh can connect various end devices such as VR, AR, PC and smartphones and is 3D compatible.

Probably the most advanced and widely used AR glasses for business, Microsoft’s Hololens AR glasses sit high above all XR endeavors. Microsoft is rumored to be working with Samsung on HoloLens 3.

Learn more about Microsoft XR:

Note: Links to online stores in articles may be so-called affiliate links. If you buy through this link, MIXED.de will receive a commission from the seller. The price does not change for you.