History of the World Wide Web

Internet technology has been at the core of billions of people’s everyday lives providing them with information to retain and make use of. Tim Berners-Lee created the initial World Wide Web (Web 1.0) in 1989 for the primary purpose of posting and sharing data between academics and organizations. Users were shown a read-only service with which they could only engage offline. Soon enough, Web 2.0, which is what we now most commonly use, was created to further develop the first iteration into a user-generated platform that allows people to not only consume but also interact with the dynamic content put out there. However, users now are highly dependent on the Internet. They can easily become victims of fraud and hacks since all of their personal data is exposed and can be accessible to anyone, especially by tech giants that exploit them for financial profits. This accelerated the need for a technology revolution to produce a new version of the World Wide Web that addresses such issues: Web 3.0.

Definition and Features

The original web creator refers to this next phase of the Internet as the Semantic Web, which is based on the idea that data is designed to be read directly by computers. In other words, machine learning and artificial intelligence will be at the heart of information processing, allowing for a far more customized, error-free surfing experience that gives consumers greater control over their data. A few features of Web 3.0 can be listed as being decentralized, providing connectivity and advanced 3D graphics, and being permissionless and trustless.

Preparations for Web 3.0

There are many reasons why brands should care about Web 3.0. The former will enable shoppers to enjoy a more user-friendly eCommerce experience; it will also offer retailers new ways to build brand loyalty and drive sales. It is all about giving consumers intuitive shopping on their own terms in a personal, trustworthy, and rewarding experience. The new iteration of the World Wide Web’s services will also offer tailored product suggestions based on machine learning, allowing businesses to present customers with the correct items at the right time, increasing conversions, building trust, and driving sales. So what is it that businesses can do?

Leveraging 3D and AR Experiences

Recognizing the significance of 3D and Augmented Reality experiences in eCommerce is a solid starting point. In the Web 2.0 environment, creating “digital twins” for the Metaverse and allowing customers to engage with items through 3D and AR experiences is an ideal practice for future Web 3.0 interactions. Including this virtual luxe in online shopping will not only increase customers’ satisfaction with their buying process but will also drive more sales and increase brand loyalty. This is especially true for physical product dealers and makers. Companies must be able to navigate the new platform and understand how to use its capabilities to assist clients in finding what they want. This way, consumers can buy in Metaverse environments from wherever and will get the physical counterpart delivered right to their location.

Introduction of virtual-only items and new purchasing methods

Among physical and digital products, virtual goods have become a key focus of consumption online during the previous decade. Analyzing this phenomenon, it is evident that, unlike traditional products, the reasons why individuals buy virtual goods are intrinsically tied to the platform where they are offered. Therefore, with their increasing value, eCommerce brands will be urged to integrate virtual-only items that will leverage their business, making the experience of shoppers more pleasant and fulfilling. This shift is not only limited to the actual products but is also about ways of buying them. For instance, Gucci, the renowned luxury fashion company, has announced that it is now accepting ApeCoin, the proprietary cryptocurrency of the Bored Ape Yacht Club, as a new payment method at select branches.

Wallet-based (or token-gated) interactions and brand loyalty

To remain competitive as brands transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0, they must employ new technologies. Projects are increasingly constructing open source bridges between the two web iterations to let businesses integrate their existing sites, systems, and data with tokens, smart contracts, and other blockchain technology. To take advantage of early product access and revenue sharing, brands must be able to identify and respond to NFTs in a user’s wallet by engaging with them in new, creative ways. When done so, brands may leverage NFTs as a new connecting bridge between high-value consumers and the brand products and services they enjoy.

Gaming is becoming a new sub-culture for luxury brands

Players can always customize the appearance and style of the characters they play, and many games now provide the choice of recognized designer brands as well. Not only does this provide brands with a subtle marketing opportunity, but it also allows gaming companies to position themselves as more culturally relevant and mainstream. Furthermore, much as customers may purchase designer clothing in real life, gamers are resorting to in-game items to compete with others or flex and identify themselves online.

Final Words

Since the creation of the first World Wide Web, technology has gone a long way, and Web 3.0 is ready to take brands to the next level. This iteration is the next big thing in eCommerce, providing a more user-friendly shopping experience by leveraging AI machine learning, voice assistants, AR/VR experiences, and blockchain technology to help consumers find what they’re searching for and complete transactions quickly and simply.

Technology is rapidly evolving today, leading to faster change and progress rates that have become challenging to keep up with. However, it is not only technology trends and their emergence that are evolving; much more has changed in the past couple of years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, making IT experts realize that their role is no longer the same. They currently have a huge responsibility of anticipating the work leading to a fascinating future. Therefore, companies from different industries – such as the medical, educational, and tourism ones – are becoming more adapting to this new phenomenon and releasing enhanced technologies to assist other organizations in handling their work.

With that being said, we compiled an updated list of the latest technology trends of 2022 that will give you insights into the world’s tech facet for the next few months.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a broad field of computer science concerned with creating intelligent machines capable of performing tasks that normally require human intelligence. Some examples of AI would be smart mobile voice assistants, Netflix’s recommendations, self-driving cars, and chatbots. On the other hand, machine learning is a subset of AI that enables software applications to improve their accuracy in predicting results without being explicitly programmed to do so. Its algorithms predict new output values by using historical data as input.

Developers are now taking this technology further where it will be able to determine underlying information by analyzing certain interactions. This way, it will also help predict demand for services for better decision-making processes and analyze data in almost real-time to detect changing patterns of customer behavior; thus, increasing profits and revenues

Extended Reality

Extended Reality is the umbrella term for Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, Mixed Reality, and everything in between. It modifies human-machine screen interaction by immersing users in a virtual world, augmenting their surroundings, or doing both at the same time.

Extended reality has tremendous potential for training, entertainment, education, marketing, and even injury rehabilitation. It could be used for many purposes like training doctors to perform surgery, providing a more immersive experience for museum visitors, improving theme parks, or even working toward much more effective marketing strategies. In 2019, 14 million AR and VR devices were sold. The global market for this technology is now expected to reach $209.2 billion this year, opening up more opportunities in the trending technology and welcoming more professionals prepared for this game-changing field.

For more details, check out the list of the 7 Biggest AR and VR trends in 2022 that we have piled up for you

Metaverse

Ever since Mark Zuckerberg switched Facebook’s name to Meta, a major focus on the Metaverse took place. This new universe is now considered to be the latest evolution in social connectivity, where people can log in as avatars in a three-dimensional virtual space. In this platform, users can collaborate, shop, work, socialize, play games, attend concerts, and do pretty much everything they do in real life. This extended reality is expected to be blurring the lines between physical and digital realms.

People are also paying real money for virtual goods in the Metaverse, which can be a good investment in the long run as this technology seems very promising. Analysts predict that this virtual environment will become worth $800 billion by 2024.

Quantum Computing

Quantum computing is a new era of technology that involves a type of computer that is 158 million times faster than today’s most supercomputer. It is a device so powerful that it can complete in only four minutes what a traditional supercomputer would take 10,000 years to do.

In 2022, quantum computers are and will continue to be fundamental in altering the way we approach problems. Because of the computing system’s ability to easily question, track, analyze, and process the data from any source, this exhilarating technology trend was able to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and develop potential vaccines. Banking and finance are also finding applications for quantum computing, such as credit risk management, high-frequency trading, and fraud detection.

5G

5G refers to the fifth generation of mobile networks. It enables a new type of system capable of connecting virtually everyone and everything, including machines, objects, and devices. While 4G brought substantial improvements, such as smooth video streaming, 5G has 100 times the speed, which means that uploads, downloads, data transfers, and streams will be much faster. It also can transmit radio waves to up to one million devices per square kilometer to control connectivity when positioned in congested areas, something that 4G mobile networks’ failed to do. Therefore, it is only fair to say that 5G is expected to revolutionize our lives and the different ways we decide to consume mobile networks.

As a result, 5G networks will be covering 40% of the world by 2024, handling 25% of all mobile traffic data, to make it an emerging tech trend to keep an eye on.

The retail industry has been an early adopter of cutting-edge technologies, one of which is Augmented Reality, leading the way in warehousing, logistics, navigation, marketing, and customer service. This phenomenon enables brands to interact with customers via their digital devices and further visualize products in 3D, which they previously perceived in 2D through their screens. With it being at their disposal, customers are becoming more and more demanding of this technology. In 2021, the global augmented reality in retail value was estimated to be over $2.4 billion and is projected to reach $12 billion in 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 30.25%.

Benefits of integrating augmented reality in retail

Adopting augmented reality in retail not only proves the brand’s willingness to keep up with the latest trends, but also offers benefits and opportunities that could be of use in both the short and long term.

• Boosts sales and minimizes returns: using augmented reality in retail enables customers to interact and engage with products and items, as well as try them virtually before making any purchase. For example, augmented reality mirrors are now being set up in many stores, making it easier and faster for shoppers to check the size, fit, and style of their desired items before making any decisions. Continuing with the AR mirrors example, people passing by shops using such a technology will be intrigued to step in and try it themselves. It is a great strategy to attract customers, engage them, and increase the likelihood of selling.

 

• Collecting data about customers’ preferences: The information about the items customers choose to try through AR-enhanced shopping reveals a lot about their interests and shopping patterns. These insights are very much helpful for retailers to deliver personalized advertising and future marketing campaigns, resulting in the building of a solid bond between the two parties.

 

• Cutting off staff efforts and expenses: The AR application provides users with detailed information about the products they are interested in. It also has the ability of showing feedback on items from previous buyers, which enhances the quality of the shopping experience. Furthermore, augmented reality in retail aids in store navigation, reducing the need for human shop assistants to a certain extent.

 

• Contactless shopping experience: Following a global pandemic that left people around the world alerted about the way they interact with their environment, a contactless shopping experience is much needed. Including augmented reality in the retail industry offers just that, providing customers with a sense of reassurance. With a mind peace, store visitors will definitely be much more comfortable shopping for what they are looking for.

 

• Creating customer loyalty: Customer loyalty is a result of an ideal, satisfactory customer experience. Building enough credibility is one major way leading to it, helping brands in developing stronger relationships with their audience; thus, increasing their sales and profits. Augmented reality helps in activating this desired loyalty and putting it into action.

 

• Product display: To enable augmented reality in physical shops, many brands are installing in-store displays that provide visitors with a variety of interactive experiences. In addition, brands can take advantage of integrating in-store augmented reality by giving their customers the possibility of customizing items like bags, accessories, decorations, etc.

Spatial 3D and Augmented Reality

Shopping is no longer the same as searching for products on the internet. We provide companies with an immersive Spatial 3D and AR experience that allows customers to visualize products like furniture, appliances, home decor, and others, in their own environment. These items may be viewed via any browser or device, and they have the same exact fit and size as they do in the real world. This solution is ideal for removing shopper’s concerns about online purchases or providing them with an interactive and entertaining buying experience. Up until now, this solution has been put to work on furniture and home products, kitchen, home, and bath equipment, clothes, collectibles, and toys.

Try-on Shoes Augmented Reality:

Are you a footwear company? This try-on shoes AR is designed to draw your attention, as well as the attention of your consumers. The try-before-you-buy shopping experience is advantageous to every element of your organization, including increased conversions, improved customer service, and reinforced loyalty and credibility. When customers can see how an item will appear on them, they are more inclined to trust your brand. Furthermore, due to its superior texturing, real-time shadows, and light adaptability, our try-on shoes augmented reality is highly realistic and accurate.

Try-on Eyewear Augmented Reality:

Why buy offline when you can bring the actual world into the comfort of your consumers’ homes via any browser or device? Your eCommerce visitors will be astonished by the fascinating realistic frame visualization that fits and tracks every aspect of their faces with our eyewear AR solution. Not only that but our AI engine is programmed to provide suggestions for designs and sizes to potential customers. When statistics show that companies who use augmented reality in their shopping experience witness conversion rates improvement by 40%, you can rest assured that the try-on eyewear solution is critical to your company’s success.

Try-on Makeup Augmented Reality

Which shade of shadow is best for my eyes? Does the hue of this foundation compliment my skin tone? Visitors may be hesitant to purchase beauty goods online due to these and other issues. With our try-on cosmetics augmented reality solution, that’s no longer the case. Regardless of the beauty item that visitors are interested in, allowing them to virtually sample your items breaks down boundaries between you as a company and your prospects. This purchasing experience will surely set your business apart from the competition and make it unforgettable.

“Select an item, add it to your cart, and check out.” When it comes to eCommerce, this simple series of clicks has made our lives easier. For a long time, people have been shopping online. However, our heavy usage of this tool revealed a whole slew of issues we hadn’t seen previously. The inability to exchange or return things is a widespread problem that makes us wary of shopping online. What if it isn’t a good fit? What if it doesn’t turn out well or as expected?

Online 2D product visualization has been proven to be ineffective in resolving such issues. As a result, new technologies have emerged in recent years. Creating VR automation allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in 3D product visualization, removing that “blocking wall.” Despite the fact that this approach solves a wide range of issues, this doesn’t negate that it limits the capacity to interact with data.

A long-lasting pandemic was enough to change our lifestyles, priorities, and behaviors. Just when we thought the world couldn’t get any more digital, new technologies surprise us on the constant. In that sense, retailers didn’t miss the opportunity to accelerate and revolutionize the way we shop.

What is 3D product digitization?

Choosing items based on how we most commonly see them in 2D is slowly becoming of the past. In fact, it’s inconvenient for shoppers now to take risks not knowing how their items would size, fit, or look in real life.

Therefore, the industry is now heading towards 3D product digitization. As its name refers, it is when digital capabilities and physical products are merged to allow buyers to perceive items exactly the way they see them in the three-dimensional world, but through a screen. The best part is that they are still doing all that from the comfort of their home.

How does it work?

We, at Designhubz, have 3 ways of digitizing products but eventually pick the most suitable one depending on the case presented:

3. Utilize our in-house automatic digitization rig! You won’t need to recruit 3D professionals or use augmented reality. Our digitization rig, on the other hand, takes care of everything. It will scan your physical products in 360 degrees and build realistic 3D and AR replicas of them in real-time. These assets are automatically posted into your XR CMS account once they’ve been scanned, allowing you to manage, embed, publish, and distribute them throughout your website, app, social media, and marketing campaigns.

Let’s get a little more technical and describe what we do behind the scenes: We use AI-assisted tools to construct efficient 3D surfaces and QA material aspects (metal, glass, plastic, wood, etc.) “in context.” Following that, we incorporate the product’s pieces or features and send it to the partner’s account for feedback, or in the best-case scenario, we go live immediately. This is true for both methods 2 and 3.

You can learn more about it here.

Benefits of 3D product digitization

3D product digitization is much more than just an arising concept. It’s a whole experience for consumers and a large profit for companies. There is no room for web visitors to make wrong decisions when it comes to purchasing from now on. The try-before-you-buy feature washes all concerns away regarding this issue. Tech developers are able to provide them with a hassle-free buying process.

On another note, organizations are on the gain margin the most. This 3D product digitization technology is allowing them to collect data about their audience to contribute to their insights. This information can be used for better targeting and customer service in the long term. In addition, consumers who use this technology are 66% more likely to engage and trust a company compared to traditional 2D products images. There are also 40% higher chances of converting prospects into buyers and an almost 30% chance of increasing sales prices.

Red Alert for Companies

User experience is the foundation of any business. Without positive feedback and exceptional customer service, companies lose their credibility; thus, their existence as a powerful brand in the industry. To keep customers satisfied, organizations should make sure to maintain their website regularly. People don’t want to land on a malfunctioning website or a page with irrelevant information they are not searching for. The 3D product digitization backend software should maintain its flexibility and smoothness throughout.

With the fast-paced environment we live in nowadays, it is pivotal to always keep up with our surroundings. One of the things customers are adapting to lately is the online shopping experience. Being physically present in a store is now considered old-fashioned and a waste of time. Instead, people transited to online shopping, which indeed saves time but usually comes with a cost. There is no guarantee of accurate quality, size, or fit of products, which may leave online buyers frustrated and disappointed.

Therefore, we, at Designhubz, in partnership with Samsung, decided to shift our focus to provide users with a hassle-free online shopping process when looking for fridges and washing machines. Consumers are constantly and haphazardly being sold products and bombarded with annoying ads they most likely are to ignore. It has been this way for many years but has now come to an end with our advanced 3D and AR technology. With our try-before-you-buy technology, you can now easily place Samsung fridges and washing machines in your desired space with the exact size and fit, directly from your device without having any third party intervene whatsoever. Our Web-based AR technology works in any web browser and on any device be it iOS or Android.

Not only that, but we also worked on upgrading the interactivity level of our Augmented Reality offering by giving users the ability to virtually open fridges’ doors, see them on the inside, and choose the option that best meets their needs. With that being said, we are providing viewers with the power of making the most convenient and practical decision during online purchases.

Are you curious to learn how you can upgrade your online shopping experience? Book a demo now. You can also visit the store  to see how we brought Samsung products to life.

Skin problems are irritating, and the long treatment process can sometimes be frustrating. We have all been there, overwhelmed with the “What if…” that has resulted in some kind of low self-esteem and self-doubt. Since the history of Augmented Reality  proved to have satisfied consumers’ shopping experience, we are once again offering you our special virtual try-on feature that is designed to give you the hope you need to move forward and anticipate efficient results when it comes to using the best skin care products.

That is why we are proud to announce our partnership with Eucerin to offer you just that. We have never been that excited to further expand our AR technologies to not only encompass makeup, eyewear, and footwear try-on but to also show results of using quality skincare products. When dermatology and Augmented Reality tech development meet, you get to live a unique adventure that drives you to a whole other realm.

When partnering with Eucerin, we had one goal in mind: empowering the brand to make the most out of it, meet customers’ satisfaction, and exceed any expectations. Therefore, we stressed the importance of turning the virtual try-on process into a simple and easy one by integrating our technology within their eCommerce website. In other words, consumers won’t need to be redirected to any other third-party platforms for them to witness products getting brought to life. They will be able to immerse in this new AR technology directly right from the company’s website.

Are you looking to upgrade your online shopping experience just like we did with Eucerin to a more engaging, interactive, and beneficial one? Book a demo now to learn more on how to do that.