Meta opens its mixed reality operating system to third-party hardware manufacturers

Meta has revealed plans to open its operating system, which powers Meta Quest devices, to third-party hardware manufacturers. This move is expected to provide consumers with more options and developers with a larger ecosystem to create for. The new hardware ecosystem will be powered by Meta Horizon OS, a mixed reality operating system currently used in Meta Quest headsets.

Meta's announcement highlighted that Meta Horizon OS merges the fundamental technologies underpinning current mixed reality experiences, with a range of features that place social presence at the heart of the platform. To expand this hardware ecosystem, Meta is collaborating with ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox to create mixed reality devices for gaming, productivity, learning, and entertainment.

In addition, Meta is initiating the process of eliminating the barriers between the Meta Horizon Store and App Lab. This will allow any developer who fulfills basic technical and content criteria to distribute software on the platform. Furthermore, Meta is in the process of developing a new spatial app framework to assist mobile developers in creating mixed reality experiences. This will enable developers to use familiar tools to either adapt their mobile apps for Meta Horizon OS or to develop entirely new mixed reality apps.

No details regarding pricing, specifications, or release dates for the new devices have been released at this time, but we can imagine that it could take a couple of years before we see third-party devices using the Meta Horizon OS on the market.