Wednesday, 19 March 2025
23.9 C
Singapore
28.4 C
Thailand
20.2 C
Indonesia
27.1 C
Philippines

Meta expands virtual reality reach by sharing Horizon OS with external partners

Meta licenses its Horizon OS to third-party manufacturers, aiming to create a connected and inclusive virtual reality ecosystem.

Meta, the tech giant formerly known as Facebook, has embarked on an ambitious project to broaden the accessibility of its newly developed Horizon OS by allowing third-party manufacturers to integrate the operating system into their mixed-reality headsets. This move is aimed at creating a more inclusive and connected virtual reality ecosystem.

Meta has confirmed partnerships with notable tech companies, such as Lenovo and ASUS, to expand the Horizon OS’s reach. Lenovo plans to produce versatile headsets tailored for productivity, education, and entertainment. Meanwhile, ASUS is set to launch a gaming-focused headset under its esteemed Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand. These partnerships are geared towards diversifying the applications of mixed reality technologies and enhancing user engagement across various platforms.

Additionally, an exciting collaboration between Meta and Xbox will bring forth a special edition Quest headset. This device will feature Xbox branding and is expected to come bundled with an Xbox controller, alongside access to Xbox Cloud Gaming and the Xbox Game Pass, enriching the gaming experience for users.

Unified social features and developer support

One of the key aspects of the Horizon OS is its “social layer,” which includes unified profiles, avatars, friend networks, and virtual spaces that facilitate cross-platform connectivity. This feature is designed to allow users from different platforms to interact seamlessly, making the virtual experience more sociable and engaging.

Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, highlighted the companyโ€™s commitment to an open ecosystem in a recent Instagram post. He expressed his vision for Horizon OS to set a new standard for the next generation of mixed-reality headsets. In pursuit of this goal, Meta has lowered barriers for app developers on its platform, enabling them to more easily grow their businesses through enhanced content discovery and monetization opportunities. Additionally, Meta plans to incorporate the Google Play store into Horizon OS, further expanding the range of apps and services available to users.

Despite the excitement surrounding these developments, Zuckerberg acknowledged that building a comprehensive ecosystem of Horizon OS devices will likely take a few years. Specific details about the upcoming products remain under wraps, but the partnerships and plans laid out by Meta indicate a promising future for the expansion of the virtual reality landscape.

Meta’s strategy to open its Horizon OS to other manufacturers starkly contrasts with the more closed ecosystems seen in other tech giants, notably Apple, signalling a strategic pivot towards inclusivity in the tech industry.

Hot this week

Baidu introduces new AI models, claiming superiority over DeepSeek and OpenAI

Baidu launches Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1, claiming they surpass DeepSeek and OpenAI in AI benchmarks while shifting towards open-source AI development.

Qualcomm expands handheld gaming with new Snapdragon G series chipsets

Qualcomm launches new Snapdragon G series chips for better handheld gaming performance and connectivity.

Apple updates the basic iPad with a faster chip and more storage

Apple updates its basic iPad with a faster A16 chip and 128GB storage. Pre-orders are open, with retail availability on March 12.

Widespread problems reported with the Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar

Samsung soundbar owners report major issues after a faulty firmware update, leaving devices unresponsive worldwide. Samsung has yet to offer a fix.

Discord unveils new toolkit to enhance social features in games

Discord introduces a free Social SDK that helps developers integrate social features like friends lists, invites, and chat into their games.

NVIDIA introduces new AI reasoning models for developers and enterprises

NVIDIA launches Llama Nemotron AI reasoning models to help businesses build advanced AI agents with improved accuracy and efficiency.

AI agents transform industries with NVIDIA AI Enterprise

AI agents powered by NVIDIA AI Enterprise are transforming industries, improving customer service, aiding humanitarian efforts, and streamlining operations worldwide.

NVIDIA unveils RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition for AI and graphics workloads

NVIDIA unveils the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition, a powerful AI and graphics GPU designed to accelerate enterprise workloads.

NVIDIA partners with telecom leaders to develop AI-driven 6G networks

NVIDIA teams up with telecom giants like T-Mobile, MITRE, and Cisco to develop AI-powered 6G networks, aiming for higher efficiency and security.

Related Articles