Recently, discussions about the metaverse seemed to fade, but Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has reignited interest with a significant announcement on Instagram. This news could notably enhance the development of top virtual reality (VR) headsets and accelerate metaverse activities.
Meta plans to open-source its VR operating system
The headline news is Meta's decision to open-source the mixed-reality operating system, initially developed for the Quest 3 and earlier Quest VR headsets. This move aims to broaden the ecosystem by welcoming new partners to utilise this technology.
Horizon OS, crafted from the Android Open Source Project, will now be available for other manufacturers. This open-source version, optimised for extended reality (XR), offers an opportunity for a variety of hardware producers to integrate this advanced operating system into their devices.
New partnerships and opportunities
Meta's announcement was brief on specifics, yet it revealed exciting partnerships. According to Meta's blog, Asus ROG is developing a performance gaming headset, Lenovo is set to introduce a productivity-focused headset, and a collaboration with Microsoft will produce a limited-edition Quest inspired by Xbox.
Zuckerberg hinted that other companies could create devices tailored for specific applications such as productivity, fitness, media viewing, or 2D gaming on expansive virtual screens. A VR headset dedicated to simulations could particularly benefit from early access to Horizon OS.
Updates and expansions in the Horizon Store
In conjunction with these technological advances, Meta is also revamping its Quest app store, soon to be renamed the Horizon Store. This update will allow users of Meta Horizon OS to access a broader range of compatible applications and content, signalling a significant expansion of available offerings.
Beyond the existing array of Meta Quest games, apps, and content, the Horizon Store will include Xbox Cloud Gaming and Steam games. Furthermore, Meta's App Lab will undergo enhancements to increase the visibility of games and apps still in the early stages of development.
Zuckerberg emphasised Meta's interest in incorporating Google's Play Store within the Horizon OS ecosystem for the Quest platform, facilitating the use of some Android apps through sideloading on devices like the Quest 3, Quest 2, and Quest Pro. However, access to Google Play Services remains a limitation, necessitating the inclusion of the Play Store.
Meta's ambition is to position itself as the open-source counterpart to Apple's Vision Pro, aspiring to be the “Android” of XR headsets. In a similar vein, Google and Samsung are collaborating on an official Android XR operating system, expected to launch soon.
As the metaverse landscape heats up again, Meta is determined to lead the charge in shaping these emerging platforms.
