LAS VEGAS—For most Americans, even those who spend a lot of time working and playing online, the wait for the metaverse is starting to feel like Estragon and Vladimir’s planned date with Godot: It’s always on the way, but never seems to arrive. .

What they may not realize is that the metaverse is here and has been for some time. It is still not all that it appears to be.

That’s a takeaway from the CES technology trade show, which wrapped up its four-day run as a showcase for all things cool, futuristic, or at least digital, on Sunday.

Although the metaverse wasn’t as ubiquitous as it was at the 2022 show, some of the biggest players in the space still took up a large swath on the main convention floor that was almost always packed with people eager to try…