Meta is renaming its Quest software platform to Meta Horizon OS, opening it up to third-party headset makers.
Headphones powered by the platform will have a “Built with Meta Horizon OS” sticker on the box. They will have access to the same core software and platform services as the Meta Quest headset, including Meta's tracking, mixed reality, and store technology. As with the Quest headsets, using them will require a Meta account.
The Meta Quest Store will also be rebranded as the Meta Horizon Store. Quest will remain the hardware brand for Meta's first-party headsets only.
Two third-party companies have publicly announced that they are building brand new headsets running Meta Horizon OS:
- “High-performance gaming headset” from Asus Under its Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand.
- A range of 'productivity, learning and entertainment' headphones from Lenovo.
In February, Meta and LG announced a strategic collaboration in the XR space, including “developing the next generation of XR devices,” suggesting that LG may also make a headset running Meta Horizon OS.
Meta Horizon OS headphone concepts from ASUS ROG Brand (left) and Lenovo (right).
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says he can “imagine” third-party Meta Horizon OS headsets being optimized around specific use cases, such as:
- “A lightweight headset that pairs with the computer on your desk to provide the best working experience.”
- A headset that is “fully focused on immersive entertainment such as watching movies and videos with high-resolution OLED displays.”
- A headset that is “fully optimized for gaming with support for all different types of peripherals and touch devices.”
- Headphones “designed for ultra-light workouts with sweat-wicking materials.”
It's unclear whether any of this refers to ASUS or Lenovo headsets, or just potential future avenues the companies could take.
Meta Horizon OS headphone concepts optimized for media viewing (left) and fitness (right).
Additionally, Meta is working with Microsoft's Xbox division to create an Xbox-branded “Meta Quest Limited Edition” headset. A concept image of this headset suggests it will be a special edition of the Quest 3, and Zuckerberg says it will include an Xbox gamepad in the box.
Today's news comes less than two months after it was revealed that Google tried to convince Meta to ditch the Quest platform (now Horizon OS) and switch to the upcoming Android XR, which is expected to be announced at Google I/O in three weeks.
Google tried to get Meta to switch to its XR OS
Google reportedly asked Meta to partner and “contribute” to the upcoming XR OS, but Meta declined.
Samsung is the first device manufacturer to announce Android XR adoption, and Google is said to be courting other companies as well. The new Meta strategy and the locking of several major companies could already be a major blow to Google's ambitions in this space, especially since Lenovo was Google's original partner for its previous VR platform Daydream in 2018.
Meta has repeatedly said that it wants Google to bring the Play Store for 2D Android apps to Quest (now known as Horizon OS), and has promised that it can continue to derive its existing revenue from 2D app sales. Google seems intent on owning the entire XR platform, not just the 2D apps division of Meta.
Meta and Google will likely compete fiercely in the coming years to convince third-party hardware makers to adopt their XR platforms. The history of technology suggests that there is only room for one open platform alongside Apple's closed offering. Will this be true for the XR as well? If so, would it be Meta or Google?
“Writer. Friendly troublemaker. Lifelong food junkie. Professional beer evangelist.”