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With the majority of the world having been put on hold over the last two years, people have found the drive to pursue a more digital existence. This motivation has ultimately led to the launch of a variety of ways to enjoy virtuality, such as with VR technology, cryptocurrencies and the expansion of the metaverse.
Now, I won’t go into too much detail about the metaverse itself, but for those who are reading the word for the first time think of it as a network of interconnected virtual worlds developed for social interaction.
So far, the majority of these metaverse technologies have been focussed on visual elements, which, for a world that revolves around networking and being “accessible to all”, ironically emphasises its faults when it comes down to all-around inclusiveness.
In recognition of this issue, Kyoto-based Dokidoki Co Ltd – the company behind live streaming audio app Dabel – has stepped up to the task of creating an audio metaverse platform that is intended to break down the boundaries currently felt in the digital realm.
Presently in the beta testing stage, this new audio metaverse platform is called Cubemint.
Dokidoki Co Ltd claims that Cubemint came into being thanks to the users of their live streaming audio app Dabel. Through surveying, the company detected that many of these users are visually impaired or sensitive to visual stimuli, and developed an app and basis for a metaverse platform that is not affected by these barriers, instead overcoming them and successfully creating a digital social world that is accessible to all.
CEO and founder Takahito Iguchi explains: “One of the biggest challenges the metaverse is currently facing is inclusiveness and accessibility. Considering this, we aim to make Cubemint an audio metaverse space that everyone can access, and ultimately eliminate the loneliness and isolation of humankind, by leveraging our experience in product development with our users.”
The biggest advantage of an audio metaverse platform is that it can act as a bridge to extend physical reality, and it can also connect remote users in the virtual realm without needing them to enter a completely different world.
As another plus, the only necessity is a set of wireless earphones. This makes entering the audio metaverse relatively easy in comparison to other metaverse platforms that often require additional and somewhat expensive equipment.
Cubemint is currently in a beta testing stage, with key people such as sound designers and users who are visually impaired working together to raise it to a level that meets the company's inclusive vision of what the Audio Metaverse should be.
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4 Comments
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Strangerland
People used to say the same thing about Facebook - it's a fad, it's not going to be around long.
I'd be on FB before I'd bet against them.
GBR48
Am I alone in reacting to pandemic lockdowns by developing a strong aversion to all things digital and a new-found passion for the real, tangible and muddy?
The website needs polish for a tech start-up and really needs to explain what they are doing. Are they creating audioconferencing rooms? Vague will not get you VC from SoftBank.
-we aim to make Cubemint an audio metaverse space that everyone can access, and ultimately eliminate the loneliness and isolation of humankind, by leveraging our experience in product development with our users.
You'll have a limited number of users and eventually go bust.
-We aim to get filthy rich developing a product that world+dog will use however they want to, for whatever they want to.
You'll have zillions of users and make a pile of money until the activists point out that it is not safe for 5 year olds, several having sold their pets, family cars or sisters on it whilst mummy was busy undertaking important research on Prosecco. The government then close you down forcing you to retire to one of your islands.
Pick one.
It is laudable to produce tech that improves the lives of those with disabilities, but you will need to start with a lot of cash and be happy to conclude with a good deal less. You will get from A to B even quicker if you do not own the patents for all of this. I'd be amazed if Facebook/Meta/Massive Dynamic even mentioned the word 'metaverse' without hoovering up every relevant patent and then some. And some more. And some more after that, just to cover all the bases.
Still, good luck taking on the Zuck. And don't give up if it doesn't work out. Tech is about learning from your mistakes and doing it better next time. That's why you venture other people's money, not your own. You can only spend your own once.
Minor additional note. User-derived content incorporating other people's audio, especially that which is legally owned by entities such as Sony and Universal, may get you into a bit of hot water.