Meta, a leader in mixed-reality hardware, is now showing off its capabilities in VR software.
To promote AR/VR services and apps, Meta Platforms announced that it would make its Quest headset operating system available to outside hardware manufacturers.
Also read: Metaverse Hub With VR, AR and Immersive Tech Opens in India
With a clear vision for the future, Meta Platforms expressed its desire to see Meta Horizon OS—the mixed reality operating system that currently powers its product—running throughout an ecosystem, paving the way for innovation and growth in the AR/VR industry.
CEO of Meta Platforms, Mark Zuckerberg, announced on Instagram that Microsoft, Lenovo, and ASUS will be among the first partners to use its operating system on their devices. Working with Microsoft, the company stated, “to create a limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox.”
🚨 ICYMI yday
Meta is opening up Meta Horizon OS, the operating system powering its Quest mixed reality headsets, to 3rd party hardware makers, escalating fight with Apple.
Lenovo, Microsoft & Asus ROG are the first set of partners
https://t.co/d5g45s6Bkm.— Vikas SN (@tsuvik) April 23, 2024
Introducing Meta Horizon OS
The tech giant announced on Monday that it has changed the name of the VR OS—the operating system that runs on its Meta Quest headsets—to Meta Horizon OS. The company also announced that third-party hardware manufacturers will now have access to the new operating system, enabling them to use Meta’s software to power their mixed-reality headsets.
“We chose this name to reflect our vision of a computing platform built around people and connection—and the shared social fabric that makes this possible,” Meta wrote in a blog post.
“Meta Horizon OS combines the core technologies powering today’s mixed reality experiences with a suite of features that put social presence at the center of the platform.”
The company renamed its Meta Quest Store, the application marketplace for its headsets, Meta Horizon Store, and rebranded its operating system. Additionally, Meta announced that it is changing the name of its Meta Quest mobile app to Meta Horizon. Users of Meta Quest headsets can use this app to stay in touch with others they interact with in the metaverse.
Meta stated regarding its Horizon application, “It enables people’s identities, avatars, and friend groups to move with them across virtual spaces and lets developers integrate rich social features into their apps.”
The company intends to facilitate developers’ participation in the future as well. Meta is creating a “spatial app framework” that will enable mobile app developers to convert their creations to work with Horizon OS devices.
Meta enables Lenovo and Asus headsets.
Meta is working with Lenovo and Asus to develop headsets running Meta Horizon OS. The company did not, however, provide any information about the Asus and Lenovo headsets, including their price, appearance, or anticipated release date.
Just in @ZDnet ⇢ Meta opens its Quest OS to third-party headsets including Asus and Lenovo https://t.co/fxxE5nwWfC
— Jay Desmond (@JaysinDesmond) April 22, 2024
Additionally, Meta revealed that it has collaborated with Microsoft’s Xbox division to create a limited-edition Meta Quest that is “inspired by Xbox.” Once more, the business declined to provide specifics about the gadget.
Apple, Samsung, and Sony have been Meta’s competitors in the mixed reality space for several years. But up until now, the business has concentrated on hardware. By releasing its operating system to other companies, Meta can leverage third-party hardware and generate new revenue. Additionally, it might open the door for additional devices to join the market, expanding its overall size.
and then