Meta Platforms has made a strategic move by announcing the licensing of its Quest headset operating system, Meta Horizon OS, to other device manufacturers. This move positions Meta as a strong contender in the VR/MR market and distinguishes it from Apple’s more closed ecosystem for its Vision Pro headset.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, emphasized the company’s commitment to an open model for VR/MR, in contrast to Apple’s closed approach for smartphones. Meta has already secured partnerships with hardware makers Asus and Lenovo, who will develop and produce devices running Meta Horizon OS.
Asus’s Republic of Gamers (ROG) will focus on creating a gaming-oriented headset, while Lenovo will target mixed reality devices designed for productivity, education, and entertainment. Meta is also collaborating with Microsoft on a limited-edition gaming-focused Quest headset.
In addition, Meta is actively seeking to expand the availability of alternative app stores on Horizon OS. The company plans to enhance the visibility of its experimental App Lab store and has even extended an invitation to Google to bring the Play Store to the platform.
Despite the limited success of VR/MR headsets in the past, Meta is confident in the potential of this market. Apple’s recent entry with its high-priced Vision Pro headset and Microsoft’s previous but unsuccessful attempt with Windows Mixed Reality indicate the growing interest in this space.
Meta’s open ecosystem approach, coupled with partnerships with established hardware manufacturers like Asus and Lenovo, could potentially drive wider adoption of VR/MR headsets beyond the gaming community and establish Meta as a leading force in this evolving industry.
