Meta Just Became Android for Virtual Reality
Following on from its biggest competitor in Apple Vision Pro, Meta has announced that it is going to take on Apple using a proven strategy: Meta wants to become the Android of virtual reality.
In a press release, the company behind the Quest line of headsets announced that it is making the Meta Horizon operating system and the Quest ecosystem open to third parties . This means you’ll soon be able to buy a headset made by Dell or Sony and log in to see the meta interface you’re familiar with and the meta apps you already own.
It’s a similar approach to Android or Windows: although Google and Microsoft make their own products, the software on their phones and laptops isn’t limited to Google and Microsoft hardware. This allows these companies to maintain parity with Apple devices without having to compete directly with them on all fronts, while also offering customers more choice.
Is it open source? No. But that means Meta can keep up with Vision Pro by simply relying on a smaller company to hit that niche premium market for it, something the company behind Facebook has had trouble doing that in the past .
Meta’s more open VR strategy begins with a three-pronged approach: two new headsets from laptop makers Lenovo and Asus, as well as an Xbox-branded Quest headset coming directly from Meta itself.
Each headset should be targeted to a different audience, allowing Meta to immediately differentiate itself from Apple by appealing to a variety of use cases. The Asus headset comes from that company’s Republic of Gamers subsidiary, meaning it will likely feature RGB lighting and the latest and greatest VR gaming specs. Instead, Lenovo appears to be leveraging that company’s experience with ThinkPads, meaning it could be targeting a more professional audience. The collaboration with Xbox is entirely focused on the design, which looks unique but is otherwise a regular Quest 3 .
In addition to lowering the barriers to creating Meta-branded hardware, Meta is also “beginning the process of removing barriers between the Meta Horizon Store and the App Lab,” which essentially means smaller developers will now be able to promote their content directly to consumers.
“We believe that a more open ecosystem is the best way to bring the power of mixed reality to as many people as possible,” Meta wrote in its announcement. “With more devices, this new ecosystem will offer more choice to consumers and businesses around the world.” all working within the more mature Meta ecosystem could be just what VR needs to reach the mass market.