It seems that 'metaverse' is the real buzzword of the moment, with brands such as Facebook (now Meta) and Microsoft potentially spearheading the charge.
Now though, Motorola could be looking to get in on the act with an exciting new business arm, 312 Labs, in the wake of the exciting news of the Moto Edge X, the brand's upcoming gaming phone.
What Is 312 Labs?
In short, 312 Labs is Motorola's new business arm that's been tasked with exploring new and exciting tech, including what the brand calls "metaverse evolution" and "advancing display and AR & VR technologies", amongst other exciting factors.
These other pieces include "exploring new and unique mobile form factors and wearables" which could suggest some new foldable phones may be in the offing a few years down the line.
When Could This New Tech Be Available?
Of course, as this is a mere announcement for a new business arm, there isn't a release date set for any of Motorola's touted innovations.
It would be nice to assume that such developments may be fast-tracked given the current interest in all things metaverse and other realities, but that of course remains to be soon. As and when we hear more, we'll be sure to let you know.
Analysis - "Metaverse Evolution", You Say?
Motorola's potential entry in the world of the metaverse comes against a backdrop of a renewed vigour in all things virtual and augmented reality, spearheaded by events like Facebook Connect and Microsoft's own teasing of a 3D Xbox Metaverse a couple of weeks ago.
More pertinently, however, this announcement comes in the wake of Qualcomm's Snapdragon Spaces unveiling, which is the processor brand's own entry into the interesting world of AR tech, and Lenovo's ThinkReality A3 glasses have been slated as being one of the first devices to support Qualcomm's endeavours next year.
Intriguingly, Lenovo owns Motorola, and therefore both firms have been listed as initial partners for Snapdragon Spaces. This could be seen to be at odds with the formation of 312 Labs and Motorola's own developments, but this of course remains to be seen.
The press release's wording concerning a potential entry into AR and VR tech is most interesting though, as the brand has often been at the forefront of new tech, such as reviving the Motorola Razr, which in turn signalled a new rise in foldable phones.
If Motorola does end up entering into the AR or VR space, it would make sense for them to integrate Qualcomm's own systems inside, especially given they are an initial partner. Indeed, with their phone business, the brand is touted as being one of the first adopters of the upcoming Qualcomm Snapdragon 895/898 chips.
However, they may choose to go alone and develop their own systems in-house, which is possibly what 312 Labs as a business arm has in mind. The concept of "metaverse evolution" invites the idea that one already pre-exists, and if Motorola has one developed behind a curtain, then people have every reason to be excited.
There is the potential for their entry to be ground-breaking or in fact any element of the touted divisions of 312 Labs to be, not only the movement into the metaverse or VR. Their comments on potentially establishing "unique mobile form factors" definitely seems interesting, for one, as it suggests foldables aren't seen as a temporary fad.
What it looks like, standing on the periphery, is that Motorola doesn't want to be a brand that has been associated with the past. They are now marking themselves as a manufacturer of some of the best phones available, and it looks like that this striving for innovation forms part of a wider vision for the company's future.
Their parent firm Lenovo has also made their own commitments to doubling their investment in R&D and it appears that 312 Labs forms a vital part of this development. By getting in on new tech earlier, it may set both companies up well for a few years down the line when VR and AR could become more widespread.
On a wider note, this push towards AR and VR for future technology is perhaps seen as the pinnacle of current developments, and for Motorola to be getting as involved as they appear to be, in a few years they may just be a market leader again.
Of course, we do have to stay grounded here and realise that any potential product releases are within their infancy, but it would be nice to think everyone will work out well for one of the phone market's longest-serving players.
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