He also pointed out other potential uses: "A surgeon could perform remote surgery, by controlling their virtual self from a different location, " he said.

CNN: Scientists recreate out-of-body experience

Her "virtual image" is a secure marketplace for buying and selling branded clothing for your virtual self or upgrading your look, a kind of digital plastic surgery.

FORBES: Magazine Article

"Technology-connected work areas at the back, relaxing zones at the front - complete with seats that monitor your health or massage your muscles - and play areas in the middle, where passengers can play virtual golf or hang out in self-cleaning bars that Mr Champion says can be used in order to socialise".

BBC: Sowing the seeds of tomorrow's aircraft

With that popularity comes opportunity -- and not only for Internet land barons like self-proclaimed Second Life millionaire Anshe Chung, but also virtual builders, landscapers and interior decorators, designers of avatar clothing and accessories, and even community moderators and governors.

CNN: Virtual worlds: The next Facebook?

With Nina, companies can quickly add speech-based virtual assistant capabilities to their existing iOS and Android mobile apps, greatly enhancing the self-service experience for their customers.

ENGADGET: Voice assistant 'Nina' lets any app obey commands, makes speech your password