Meta will open Quest OS to third-party device manufacturers

Meta* is sharing the operating system of its Quest headset with rival device makers, including Microsoft, as it works to expand its influence in the virtual and mixed reality industry.

What will give you access to Meta Horizon OS

Open access to Meta Horizon OS will allow partner companies to create their own headsets. The company said Asus and Lenovo will use the operating system to create devices tailored for specific activities. And Microsoft is teaming up with Meta* to create a limited edition Xbox-inspired Quest headset.

“We're inspired by the incredible gaming community that's formed around virtual and mixed reality, and we know that the most passionate gamers want high-performance hardware. With Meta* Horizon OS, ASUS and Republic of Gamers will create the next generation gaming headset.”

S.Ya. Hsu, co-CEO of ASUS

Company CEO Mark Zuckerberg said partners could make Horizon OS-based devices for exercise, entertainment and gaming.

Meta noted that it is also developing a new spatial application framework that will help mobile developers create mixed reality in Meta* Horizon OS. In addition, developers will be able to use tools to port their developments.

“Mixed reality is changing the way people interact with computers, combining digital experiences and physical spaces to achieve new levels of productivity, learning and play. Building on our past successful partnerships, Lenovo combines Meta* Horizon OS with personal computing leadership and innovation to accelerate the adoption of new user experiences in mixed reality, such as virtual screens, remote presence, content consumption and immersive learning.”

Yuanqing Yang, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo

Virtual and mixed reality headsets have seen limited adoption so far, mostly in the gaming community and in select businesses that use them for training or remote conferencing. Meta* is the current market leader but is beginning to come under increasing pressure from competitors.

Meta Horizon OS

Called Meta Horizon OS, the system allows developers to access technologies such as eye, face, hand and body tracking, as well as High Definition Pass-Through, a popular mixed reality feature where users can still see their surroundings. without removing the headset.

The company says all future headsets will be able to connect via the Meta* Quest app on iOS and Android devices. Meta* Horizon OS also includes the Horizon Store for downloading applications.

The open Meta Horizon OS operating system is certainly a strategic step for the company. The question remains whether this will give Meta* an advantage in the competition with Apple and Sony, and whether headsets similar to the Quest will be popular at all.