Meta has put the brakes on its plans to open up the operating system that powers its Quest headsets to third-party manufacturers. The initiative, announced last year alongside the rebranding of Horizon OS, is now in limbo as the company shifts its focus to developing “the best-in-class, first-party hardware and software necessary to advance the VR market.”
When Meta first introduced the idea, it aimed to democratize Horizon OS and create a new ecosystem of devices based on its operating software. The company had even named Asus and Lenovo as early partners, with Asus developing a gaming VR headset and Lenovo focusing on a productivity model. With the latest announcement, these devices are effectively discontinued.
According to Road to VR, Meta hasn’t completely abandoned the plan. A spokesperson said the company is “interested in this for the long term and will revisit opportunities for third-party device partnerships as the category evolves.”
Android XR may have thrown a wrench into Meta’s plans
This change in Meta’s approach could be influenced by the introduction of Android XR, Google’s software platform for mixed reality headsets. If Android
By focusing on first-party hardware, Meta appears to be avoiding a direct conflict with Google while ensuring that Horizon OS remains competitive in a rapidly evolving XR market. The company’s ecosystem ambitions are on hold for now, and its broader vision of an open, cross-device platform may have to wait until the market stabilizes.
It remains to be seen how Horizon OS adapts in response to Android XR and Apple’s Vision Pro. Meta is already betting big on entertainment as the next step in its development, recently releasing a dedicated Disney+ app for its Quest headsets, allowing users to seamlessly transition from gaming to enjoying movies and TV shows in an immersive environment.
