Remember when Meta bet billions on the metaverse? In 2026, we can finally evaluate what worked and what failed.
What died:
- VR social platforms (Horizon Worlds usage collapsed)
- NFT virtual real estate (down 95% from peak)
- Full-body avatars without practical use cases
What survived and thrived:
- Apple Vision Pro (enterprise focus)
- AR for industrial maintenance, remote assistance
- Mixed reality for medical training and surgery
- Virtual concerts and events (Fortnite, Roblox model)
The lesson: Technology needs practical problems to solve, not vague visions.