Tech giants see huge opportunity in the metaverse—the name given to a future, more immersive vision of the internet with potential real-world ties. Facebook parent Meta has bet big on the prospect, as its rebrand suggests, while Microsoft has both teamed with Meta and tried acquiring a major game publisher (if the FTC approves) as it builds momentum in the space. The iPhone and Mac maker has famously taken a unique approach to hardware and software design, even incorporating its “Think Different” ethos into its marketing. As the metaverse takes shape through new hardware and online worlds—some of which will be built with interoperable Web3 tech like NFTs—Apple may again forge its own path. (Decrypt)