Meta opens its Quest OS to third-party headsets, including from Asus and Lenovo

Meta has been competing within the AR/VR {hardware} marketplace for years. Now, the corporate is getting extra formidable: Meta needs to dominate the software program platform facet.

Additionally: The best VR headsets right now (and how Apple Vision Pro stacks up)

The tech big announced on Monday that it has rebranded VR OS, its working system that powers its Meta Quest headsets, to Meta Horizon OS. The corporate additionally stated that the brand new working system will now be out there to third-party {hardware} makers, letting them energy their mixed-reality headsets with its software program.

“We selected this identify to mirror our imaginative and prescient of a computing platform constructed round individuals and connection — and the shared social cloth that makes this attainable,” Meta wrote in a weblog submit. “Meta Horizon OS combines the core applied sciences powering as we speak’s combined actuality experiences with a collection of options that put social presence on the middle of the platform.”

Along with rebranding its working system, Meta has modified the identify of its Meta Quest Retailer — the app market for its headsets — to the Meta Horizon Retailer. Meta additionally stated that it plans to rebrand its Meta Quest cellular app, which Meta Quest headset homeowners use to remain social with these they work together with within the metaverse, to Meta Horizon. “It allows individuals’s identities, avatars, and pal teams to maneuver with them throughout digital areas and lets builders combine wealthy social options into their apps,” Meta stated about its Horizon app.

Wanting forward, Meta plans to make it simpler for builders to get in on the motion as effectively. Meta stated that it is growing a “spatial app framework” designed for cellular builders to port their apps to Horizon OS gadgets.  

Additionally: Meta slashes the Quest 2’s price again, dropping it to an all-time low

Meta has partnered with Asus and Lenovo on headsets that might be powered by Horizon OS. The corporate provided few particulars on the Asus and Lenovo headsets, and did not say when the gadgets would hit retailer cabinets, what they will appear like, and the way a lot they will value. Meta added that it is also partnered with Microsoft’s Xbox division on a restricted version Meta Quest “impressed by Xbox.” Once more, the corporate stopped wanting sharing particulars on the gadget.

Meta has been within the combined actuality marketplace for a number of years, competing with Samsung, Sony, and most just lately, Apple. Till now, nevertheless, the corporate has centered on {hardware}. Making its working system out there to different corporations allows Meta to create a brand new income stream and capitalize on third-party {hardware}. It may additionally pave the best way for extra gadgets, growing the scale of the AR/VR market itself.

Additionally: Meta Quest 3 review: The VR headset most people should buy in 2024

It is unclear what number of {hardware} makers will finally wish to use Meta’s working system to energy their gadgets. If Meta collects Horizon OS licensing charges, {hardware} distributors would possibly balk at paying a competitor to assist launch their headset.

Maybe most significantly, questions stay in regards to the long-term viability of combined actuality. Whereas many main tech corporations are bullish on the expertise, there is no assure it will take off and develop into a large market. Regardless, Meta is all in.