Meta Allows Quest Headset's Horizon OS to Third-Party Hardware Makers

Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, has declared a significant change in its virtual reality strategy by opening up its Meta Quest headset's Horizon operating system to third-party hardware makers. This move aims to expand the VR ecosystem and create a broader range of devices running on the Horizon OS platform.

Several prominent tech companies, including ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft, have already collaborated with Meta to develop new Horizon OS-powered headsets tailored for various activities such as gaming, productivity, learning, and entertainment. ASUS's Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand is working on a performance-based VR gaming headset, while Lenovo will focus on devices for productivity and learning. Microsoft's Xbox division is collaborating with Meta to release a limited-edition Meta Quest headset inspired by the Xbox gaming console, which will allow Xbox Game Pass cloud gaming on the Meta Quest platform.

Meta's decision to permit its Horizon OS software to other hardware makers is seen as a strategic move to establish its VR platform as the dominant one, similar to how Windows and Android dominate the desktop and mobile computing spaces. By allowing other companies to build VR hardware using the same operating system, Meta hopes to rapidly build up a user base and ecosystem for its 'metaverse' vision, reducing its dependence on Apple and Google's app stores and rules.

Why this matters: Meta's move to open up its Horizon OS to third-party hardware makers could substantially influence the VR industry, potentially leading to faster advancements in VR technology and more choices for consumers. However, concerns remain about Meta's control over the ecosystem, as the entire VR experience will still be owned and operated by the company.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has called the metaverse 'the next frontier' and the company has committed substantial resources in developing metaverse technology. However, Meta's Reality Labs division, responsible for its metaverse efforts, recorded a $3.85 billion loss in the first quarter of 2023, with revenue of only $440 million, representing around 1% of Meta's total sales for the quarter. The company's partnership with third-party hardware makers is part of its strategy to expand the VR ecosystem and ensure an 'open model' in the next generation of computing, in contrast to Apple's

Key Takeaways

• Meta opens its Horizon OS to third-party VR headset makers, expanding the ecosystem.
• Major tech firms like ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft partner with Meta to develop Horizon OS devices.
• Meta aims to establish Horizon OS as the dominant VR platform, similar to Windows and Android.
• Meta's move could lead to faster VR advancements, but concerns remain over its control.
• Meta's Reality Labs division recorded a $3.85B loss in Q1 2023, highlighting challenges in metaverse efforts.