Tech

Walmart Metaverse: Two Patent Applications Reveal A Questionable Digital Transformation

Maybe it is time we prepare for a Walmart Coin or Walmart Metaverse Shops. The real ones are becoming a little bit outdated.

Published

4 years ago

January 17, 2022

Enes Akyüz

According to CNBC, Walmart Metaverse is near since the company filed patent applications for “providing a digital currency and a digital token of value” and “online retail stores featuring online merchandise”. While most companies enter the NFT or Cryptocurrency space to catch the wave of the new blockchain trend, it is interesting to see a brick-and-mortar retailer like Walmart come into the scene. Especially with the new VR technologies when even Apple is trying to enter the market (Read: The Headset Launch Delay: Apple’s Mixed-Reality Headset Might Not Debut Until 2023).

What is Metaverse, and what would a Walmart Metaverse be like?

Well, I am sure most of the readers have heard of the “Metaverse”. It is usually defined as a “virtual reality space” where users interact, shop, buy stuff, play games, and do whatever they want. You can basically imagine this as a second world you can play in. Naturally, some companies want to capitalize on this second world. Previously, GAP, Adidas, and Nike have entered the metaverse space with either NFTs or collaborative projects.

In the question of a Walmart Metaverse, they just revealed a short clip of a digital shopping experience. To be honest, it felt creepy to most of the viewers, however, there is still a lot of time to develop so, it is better to wait for the end result with the feedback. Here is the video from a tester:

What are the criticisms of Walmart Metaverse?

Well, people did not see much innovation except for a VR shopping experience, which was more cumbersome and creepy than an actual grocery visit. Most comments talk about it being a very impractical and expensive alternative with all the necessary equipment and feeling very awkward. Well, my opinion is that technology needs to catch up to the level that it would feel natural, and it is not there yet.

src: Pexels

Though, I do not think trying these kinds of new ideas would harm Walmart’s image. At the very least, they would have taken their shot. They can still join the NFT or merchandise space without any major development. So, it is better to leave them to find their sweet spot in this technology cloud.