Baidu on Monday took its first steps into the metaverse industry with the launch of a virtual reality app, looking to test the waters in what is considered by many to be the next phase in the internet's evolution.<\/p>\n
The Beijing-based tech giant joins brands such as Nike and Ferrari in rushing to experiment with virtual goods against a backdrop of predictions that the metaverse could one day overtake and replace the web of today.<\/p>\n
The firm, nicknamed the Chinese Google, held a conference inside the virtual world of its new app XiRang, which means \"Land of Hope\". It can be accessed from a smartphone, computer or through virtual reality goggles.<\/p>\n
It took place in front of Baidu co-founder and chief executive Robin Li and an audience of 3D avatars.<\/p>\n
The platform, however, is still in its infancy and Ma Jie, a vice president at Baidu, told reporters at an earlier event that it could take up to six years for a full launch, according to CNBC.<\/p>\n
XiRang allows users to create a digital character and interact with other users in a 3D world, for example a fictional city.<\/p>\n
Baidu says it will allow up to 100,000 users to participate in the same digital space.<\/p>\n
Users, who can only access the app in China, can take part in activities such as visiting virtual exhibitions or practising diving in a digital swimming pool.<\/p>\n
The opportunities offered by the creation of a \"new virtual world\" are whetting the appetites of digital giants such as Facebook, whose parent company was re-baptised Meta in October to signal a strategic shift to the metaverse.<\/p>\n
Like Baidu, other Chinese digital giants have made inroads into the metaverse.<\/p>\n
ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, has invested in several companies in the sector, including the maker of virtual reality headsets Pico.<\/p>\n
And Tencent, aided by its expertise in video games, is developing its own metaverse platform.<\/p>\n
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Baidu Tests Metaverse Waters With New VR App XiRang, Will Allow 100,000 Users to Participate at the Same ... - Gadgets 360<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Baidu on Monday took its first steps into the metaverse industry with the launch of a virtual reality app, looking to test the waters in what is considered by many to be the next phase in the internet's evolution. The Beijing-based tech giant joins brands such as Nike and Ferrari in rushing to experiment with virtual goods against a backdrop of predictions that the metaverse could one day overtake and replace the web of today. Continue reading