Web 3.0 – The Digital Evolution of Internet

Till now, we have experienced Web 1.0 and 2.0. But what should we expect from Web 3.0? Let’s find out in this blog.

The Internet has changed dramatically over the past two decades. It started from Web 1.0, which is the most basic form of the web. It was replaced by Web 2.0’s dynamic web pages, interactivity, and social connectivity. Now we often listen about Web 3.0, which is going to take the internet to a whole new level. In this blog, we will take a deep dive into Web 3.0, the digital evolution of the Internet.

Table of Contents

• History of the Evolution of the Web
• Understanding Web 1.0
• What is Web 2.0?
• Understanding of Web 3.0
• Key Features of Web 3.0
• Benefits of Web 3.0 over its Predecessors
• Web 3.0 Use Cases
• Conclusion

History of the Evolution of the Web – [Web 1.0 -> Web 2.0 -> Web 3.0]

The web has evolved a few times since its inception. Let us take a look at the changes that took place on the internet over the last two decades. We will see what the internet is now and how it evolved.

Understanding Web 1.0

Web 1.0 is the first stage of the Internet. This stage had functionalities, such as search engines and hyperlinks. Web 1.0 was static and information-centered and lasted from 1989 to 2005. Websites were created using static HTML pages that could only display information.

In this early read-only Internet, the role of a user was limited and they could not change the data or upload their own. For social interactions, there were simple chat messengers and forums.

In a nutshell, We web 1.0 only allowed users to search for information and read it. It kept user interaction or content generation to a minimum.

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What is Web 2.0?

In the late 1990s, there was a shift from static internet to a dynamic and more interactive internet. Web 2.0 was the second phase of the internet where users could interact with websites through tools, such as databases, forms, and social media.

Web 2.0 offers greater ease of use, more compatibility across devices, and interoperability between different sites and applications. Also known as the participatory or social web, web 2.0 also supports user-generated content, such as likes and comments.

In the mid-2000s, most websites moved to Web 2.0. Tech giants such as Facebook and Amazon started developing social networks and cloud-based services.

Understanding of Web 3.0

Web 3.0 is the third iteration of the internet. It uses blockchain technology to provide the internet supported by decentralized networks. Web3 also uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the semantic web to deliver a faster and more personalized user experience. It focuses on collective ownership, improving personalization, and sharing of content.

In a nutshell, the content coming from businesses and other institutions was driving Web 1.0. The second phase, i.e. Web 2.0 enables users to upload and share their content on the website themselves. In the third phase of the internet or web3, websites and online applications will be able to receive information available on the internet to give new information and data to the users.

Key Features of Web 3.0

The following are key features and properties of Web 3.0:

Decentralization: The Web 2.0 version of the internet stores data in centralized locations. However, Web 3.0 will replace centralized social networks with decentralized apps (dApps). It will allow individuals to maintain ownership over their data.

Trustless and Permissionless: Web 3.0 will be trustless. It means that participants will be able to interact directly without going the requirement of a trusted intermediary.  Web3 will also be permissionless. It means that anyone can participate without authorization from a governing body.

Ubiquity: It will have the capacity to be everywhere simultaneously. Web3 will not only be limited to smartphones and computers. It will be available everywhere because most things around you us connected online (using the Internet of Things).

Semantic Web: It is an essential part of Web 3.0. Coined by Tim Berners-Lee, semantic web focuses on improving web technologies to generate, share and connect content through analysis based on the ability to understand the meaning of words.

3D Graphics: Web3 will blur the line between the digital and physical world with the use of graphics technology. Web 3.0 will extensively use three-dimensional graphics in websites and services, such as online games, e-commerce, and the real estate market.

What are the Benefits of Web 3.0 over its Predecessors?

1. Intermediaries will no longer control user data.
2. Increased information interconnectivity will provide more accurate and relevant information to the users. Internet browsing experience will also become more efficient.
3. Advertising and marketing will become more relevant and user-focused by using smarter AI systems.

Web 3.0 Use Cases

Virtual Assistants – Siri and Alexa

Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa are great applications of Web 3.0. We can look at them as semantically intelligent web applications. These virtual use artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and voice recognition software to understand human voice commands. More communication of people with Siri and Alexa helps their AI in improving its recommendations and interactions.

Wolfram Alpha

It is another popular application of Web 3.0. Wolfram Alpha is a computational knowledge engine that collects sufficient information from databases on the internet and makes it available to the users through an elegant UI. It provides accurate answers to a variety of user queries related to mathematics, science & technology, society & culture, and everyday life.

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Conclusion

In this blog, we discussed the evolution of Web3. While Web3 is still a work in progress, it will certainly bring a paradigm shift in the way we browse, interact, shop, etc. on the internet. However, it is still not clear how much time Web3 will take to be fully implemented. It took over 10 years to go from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. It is likely going to take the same time to completely transform the internet using Web 3.0 technologies.

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