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This episode is 74 minutes long. SignalCast provides an AI-generated summary so you can get the key insights in about 3 minutes.

Exponent

Episode 196 — Forecasting the Metaverse

November 5, 2021

74 min episode · 2 min read

Ben Thompson

Episode

74 min

Read time

2 min

Topics

Productivity, Crypto & Web3, Books & Authors

AI-Generated Summary

Published Dec 13, 2025

What It Covers

Ben Thompson and James Allworth analyze Facebook's metaverse pivot, comparing enterprise VR adoption potential against Microsoft's Teams-based approach and Apple's likely AR focus.

Notable Moment

Thompson describes testing Facebook's Horizon Workrooms where one participant naturally did email during a meeting, recreating authentic office behavior that convinced him VR meetings feel genuinely immersive.

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Books, tools, and gear mentioned in this episode

SignalCast may earn commission on purchases via these links. As an Amazon Associate, SignalCast earns from qualifying purchases.

Tools

Horizon Workrooms
by Facebook
“Thompson describes testing Facebook's Horizon Workrooms where one participant naturally did email during a meeting, recreating authentic office behavior that convinced him VR meetings feel genuinely immersive.”
Microsoft Teams
by Microsoft
“Microsoft leverages existing Teams infrastructure and developer relationships, while Facebook bets on hardware integration despite lacking enterprise experience and facing trust issues.”

Gear

Oculus
by Facebook
“VR hardware improvements follow predictable technology advancement curves, with current Oculus limitations in resolution and comfort expected to resolve through continued investment and development.”
Amazon