On Monday, Meta revealed plans to broaden the reach of its Horizon OS, the operating system that powers its mixed-reality headsets, to include third-party manufacturers and brands. Initially designed for the Meta Quest series, the OS will now be accessible for use in other headsets and devices created by various companies. In conjunction with this expansion, Meta will rename its app marketplace from Meta Quest Store to Meta Horizon Store.
Meta detailed its initiative in a blog post, stating, “Today we’re taking the next step toward our vision for a more open computing platform for the metaverse. We’re opening up the operating system powering our Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, giving more choice to consumers and a larger ecosystem for developers to build for.”
As part of these efforts, the tech giant is collaborating with companies such as Asus ROG, which is in the process of developing a gaming headset, and Lenovo, which will incorporate the OS into its productivity, educational, and entertainment devices. Additionally, Meta announced that a limited-edition headset inspired by its prior collaboration with Xbox is underway, allowing users to engage with Xbox games on a 2D virtual screen in a mixed-reality setting.
With the aim of enhancing the app development process, Meta is also simplifying the integration between the Meta Horizon Store and its App Lab, where users will now find App Lab titles showcased in a special section of the new marketplace.
Moreover, the company is in the process of creating a new spatial app framework that will allow mobile app developers to create mixed-reality experiences for inclusion in the Horizon Store. The announcement emphasized that Horizon OS is set to become an open ecosystem that accommodates a variety of offerings, including established third-party gaming services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Steam Link. Meta has also extended an invitation to the Google Play 2D app store to join the Horizon Store.
Meta’s ambitious plans for its OS ecosystem reflect a significant initiative, akin to the foundational work undertaken by Microsoft and Google with their Windows and Android platforms. By adopting an open-source model and leveraging its experience in crafting integrated mixed-reality experiences, Meta could potentially make a meaningful impact by inviting more brands to participate in its network.
