The Metaverse in motion: from Meta's office to the AFEELA cabin

Source: CritpoTendencia Original Title: The Metaverse in Motion: From Meta’s Office to the AFEELA Cabin Original Link:

The Metaverse in Deep Transformation

This week, the concept of the metaverse is undergoing a profound transformation. While pioneering players like Meta begin to retract their three-dimensional virtual worlds to prioritize AI-assisted reality and wearable devices, the digital ecosystem finds new spaces for expansion, more integrated with the physical world and with concrete uses.

Sony and Honda turn the car into a metaverse node

Sony and Honda are about to launch their first joint vehicle in the U.S. market: the fully electric AFEELA 1 sedan. The car is already manufactured at Honda of America Mfg. in Liberty, Ohio, and deliveries are expected to begin in California by late 2026.

The main novelty is not only in the vehicle itself but in its full integration with an immersive digital ecosystem. The AFEELA 1 functions as an extension of the metaverse and gaming world, integrating entertainment, connectivity, and real-time interactive experiences.

The car’s interior features flexible screens extending across the dashboard, an AI interface with voice control, entertainment screens in the rear seats, and a home theater-quality surround sound system.

Even more distinctive is the direct connection of the AFEELA 1 with Sony’s entertainment and gaming ecosystem, allowing occupants to continue previously started games on consoles or other devices, transforming the car into a fully integrated interactive space.

Meta Reality Labs confirms the layoffs of over 1,000 workers

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seems to be closing a chapter of its ambitious metaverse project to redirect efforts toward a more tangible future focused on AI-powered smart glasses.

Recent reports indicate that the company has begun layoffs affecting more than 1,000 employees within its Reality Labs division, responsible for virtual reality and metaverse products. An internal memo from Meta’s CTO, Andrew Bosworth, states that the future focus will be on wearable devices with AI, such as the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.

While many interpret this decision as the practical end of the metaverse as a strategic priority, Meta has not officially canceled all related projects.

Internal communications suggest that part of the immersive experience previously associated with VR headsets could be reinterpreted through AI-powered mobile devices and hybrid solutions that fuse the physical and digital, leaving behind the deep three-dimensional vision that defined the initial stage of the metaverse.

The Lunar New Year Moves to Virtual Reality and Digital Worlds

The Lunar New Year has ceased to be an exclusively physical celebration and has become a phenomenon also expressed within the metaverse, mainly driven by Generations Z and Alpha.

This transition is reflected in the digitization of traditional rituals, such as e-hongbao or virtual red envelopes, and family gatherings held through avatars in three-dimensional environments.

By moving these practices into the digital space, young people bypass the limitations of the physical world and build a hybrid cultural identity. In this new scenario, the metaverse not only preserves a millennia-old heritage but projects it into an interactive dimension where past and future converge in real time.

Will The Office arrive in Fortnite? A leak hints at a new collaboration

A recent leak related to Fortnite suggests that a collaboration with the TV series The Office might be in the works. The information was shared by leakers on social media, where recent rumors linked to Epic Games’ Battle Royale were reviewed.

According to reports, if the rumor materializes, The Office would fit the description of a “nostalgic duo” from a live-action series. However, it was clarified that this is unconfirmed information and that Epic Games could still modify its plans.

The possible inclusion of characters from The Office in Fortnite would open the door to future collaborations with other TV series. Fans’ expectations are high, as this crossover would allow iconic comedy figures to be integrated into the Battle Royale experience, further expanding the cultural boundaries of the playful metaverse.

As Arthur C. Clarke said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”