Since the invention of the Internet, this technology has grown rapidly. The Internet sector has been one of the fastest growing sectors in the last two decades. Internet technology continues to evolve as the number of Internet users increases at a very rapid pace. Nowadays we see a lot of talk about Web 3.0 on social media or in various magazines. In this article we will know what is web 3.0 and how the previous internet was and what Is web 3.0 applications and Key features of Web 3.0 in detail.
Truly understand the importance of Web 3.0, it’s crucial to take a look at its previous version of internet – Web 1.0 and Web 2.0
Web 1.0
Web 1.0 was the first version of the internet when it was just a collection of static web pages linked together by hyperlinks. While its functionality was limited to these static pages, it was groundbreaking at that time because it allowed people to share their ideas with the rest of the world. It did, however, come with its own set of challenges, the most significant of which was a lack of functionality.
Web 2.0
Then came Web 2.0, which gave users the ability to read and write. Web 2.0 also fixed Web1.0’s UX problem by making it easy for individuals to come online and express themselves. At present, we’re largely operating within Web 2.0.
Why Web 3.0 ?
Web 2.0 was no doubt a huge success, as evidenced by the criticality of the internet in our lives today. But it also came at a price. Closed ecosystems have replaced open protocols on Web 2.0. This means that the audience does not belong to the creators, and power is concentrated in the hands of a few powerful corporations. Despite the fact that users generate the majority of the value, the value is taken by these corporations. The centralization of Web 2.0 has also led to a number of privacy concerns. This leads us to Web 3.0.
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What is Web 3.0 ?
Before Web 3.0, users and developers had to pick between Web 1.0’s limited capabilities and Web 2.0’s centralized model. Web 3.0, however, integrates Web 1.0’s decentralized, community-driven philosophy with Web 2.0’s enhanced, modern functionality. In essence, Web 3.0 is a tokenized internet controlled by its creators and users. The main distinction with Web 3.0 is that users can own the network without the need for a middleman.
Key Features of Web 3.0
To really understand the next stage of the internet, we need to take a look at the 4 key features of Web 3.0:
a. Ubiquity
b. Semantic Web
c. 3D Graphics
d. Artificial Intelligence
a. Ubiquity
Ubiquity means being or having the capacity to be everywhere, especially at the same time. In other words, omnipresent. In that sense, Web 2.0 is already ubiquitous since, for instance, a Facebook user can instantly capture an image and share it, which then becomes ubiquitous since it’s available to anyone no matter where they are, as long as they have access to the social media platform.
Web 3.0 simply takes this a step further by making the internet accessible to everyone anywhere, at any time. At some point, internet-connected devices will no longer be concentrated on computers and smartphones like in Web 2.0 since IoT (Internet of Things) technology will bring forth a plethora of new types of smart devices.
b. Semantic Web
Semantic(s) is the study of the relationship between words. Therefore, the Semantic Web, according to Berners-Lee, enables computers to analyze loads of data from the Web, which includes content, transactions and links between persons. In practice, how would this look? Let’s take these two sentences, for instance:
I love Bitcoin
I <3 Bitcoin
Their syntax may be different, but their semantics are pretty much the same, since semantics only deals with the meaning or emotion of the content.
Applying semantics in the Web would enable machines to decode meaning and emotions by analyzing data. Consequently, internet users will have a better experience driven by enhanced data connectivity.
c. 3D Graphics
Some futurists also call Web 3.0 the Spatial Web as it aims to blur the line between the physical and the digital by revolutionizing graphics technology, bringing into clear focus three-dimensional (3D) virtual worlds.
Unlike their 2D counterparts, 3D graphics bring a new level of immersion not only in futuristic gaming applications like Decentraland, but also other sectors like real estate, health, e-commerce, and many more.
d. Artificial Intelligence
Wikipedia defines AI as intelligence demonstrated by machines. And since Web 3.0 machines can read and decipher the meaning and emotions conveyed by a set of data, it brings forth intelligent machines. Although Web 2.0 presents similar capabilities, it is still predominantly human-based, which opens up room for corrupt behaviors such as biased product reviews, rigged ratings, etc.
For instance, online review platforms like Trustpilot provide a way for consumers to review any product or service. Unfortunately, a company can simply gather a large group of people and pay them to create positive reviews for its undeserving products. Therefore, the internet needs AI to learn how to distinguish the genuine from the fake in order to provide reliable data.
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Google’s AI system recently removed around 100,000 negative reviews of the Robinhood app from the Play Store following the Gamespot trading debacle when it detected attempts of rating manipulation intended to artificially downvote the app. This is AI in action, which will soon seamlessly fit into Internet 3.0, enabling blogs and other online platforms to sift data and tailor them to each user’s liking. As AI advances, it will ultimately be able to provide users with the best filtered and unbiased data possible.
Web 3.0 applications
Web 3.0 enables a growing number of different types of new applications and services to exist, including the following:
Non fungible tokens (NFTs)
NFTs are tokens that are stored in a blockchain with a cryptographic hash, making the token unit unique.
Decentralized finance (DeFi)
DeFi is an emerging use case for Web 3.0 where decentralized blockchain is used as the basis for enabling financial services, outside of the confines of a traditional centralized banking infrastructure.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are Web 3.0 applications that create a new world of currency that aims to be separate from the historical world of fiat currency.
Decentralized applications (dApps)
dApp are applications that are built on top of blockchain and make use of smart contracts to enable service delivery in a programmatic approach that is logged in an immutable ledger.
Cross-chain bridges
There are multiple blockchains in the Web 3.0 world, and enabling a degree of interoperability across them is the domain of cross-chain bridges.
DAO
DAOs are set to potentially become the organizing entities for Web 3.0 services, providing some structure and governance in a decentralized approach.
Why does Web 3.0 matters ?
Unlike Web 2.0, which was largely fueled by mobile, social, and cloud technology, Web 3.0 is primarily driven by edge computing, decentralized networks, and artificial intelligence. In Web 3.0, web services will be controlled and owned by users, creators, and developers, with ownership and control managed by tokens issued by the network.
Indeed, Web 3.0 is a major step forward in terms of open, trustless, and permissionless networks. Open means that they’re made of open-source software developed by an open and accessible community of developers. ‘Trustless’ means that it allows participants to interact openly without the need for a trusted third party. And ‘permissionless’ means that anyone, including users and providers, can engage without the need for permission from a controlling organization.
With Web 3.0 offering a more user-centric environment and data monetization no longer possible, corporations are sure to lose large sums of money. Certainly, Web 3.0 can be viewed as a response to power abuses in today’s digital environment, and at the heart of this concept lies the decentralization of data and power.
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Closing thoughts
Web 3.0 is a revolutionary concept that combines the open protocol standards of Web 1.0 with the functionality and user experience of Web 2.0 without losing either. It returns control of the internet to users, creators, and developers, by taking it away from the hands of powerful corporations. It will also be more user-specific and enhance data security and privacy while minimizing the chance of hacking.
Right now, it is still early days for Web 3.0, but the technology for sure is promising, and people can’t wait to see how it will transform the world for the better. If you’re a developer, you can definitely be a part of shaping the future of the Internet by mastering Web 3.0 skills. And from an investment point of view, you can definitely search for companies that are working on Web 3.0 so that you can earn good returns in the future.