publive-imageMeta to Share Horizon OS with Microsoft: A VR Collaboration Unveiled

Meta announced in a press release that it is opening up its operating system that powers the Meta Quest mixed-reality headset to third-party hardware makers such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft. In the release, Meta said it will introduce more channels for customers in the mixed reality space. It is working with “leading global technology companies” to teach “a great ecosystem for developers to build.”

Meta’s indigenously developed Horizon OS can track backward to recognize the user’s physical movements for gesture control. In addition, the operating system provides high passthrough, visual understanding, and spatial anchors. This operating system powers Meta’s Quest line of mixed-reality headsets.

Now, it’s set to power headsets from other companies like Microsoft, Asus, Lenovo, and more. Meta said developers can use features in the operating system to create new apps and monetize through content discovery platforms in the OS. These platforms include the Meta Quest Store, which is being rebranded as the Meta Horizon Store.

Hardware ecosystem of Horizon OS

Meta said that the social layer that currently powers Meta Quest devices will be extended to other devices running Horizon OS from different manufacturers. Through the extended ecosystem, users can interact with other people, avatars, and groups of friends regardless of device.

All Meta Horizon OS-powered devices will use the same mobile companion app as the Meta Quest devices, which the company will soon rename the Meta Horizon App.

Here are the hardware manufacturers working on Meta Horizon OS-powered devices

ASUS’s Republic of Gamers (ROG): Meta has noticed that Taiwanese electronics manufacturer ASUS is currently developing a new functional gaming console under its ROG brand based on the Horizon OS.

Lenovo: China’s Lenovo is developing a new mixed-reality device based on the Meta Horizon OS for business, learning, and entertainment.

Microsoft’s Xbox: Meta has expanded its partnership with Microsoft to create a limited edition of the Meta Quest headset inspired by the Xbox gaming console. Meta has already enabled Xbox Cloud Gaming on its Quest headset.

Meta has confirmed that all the devices listed above will be built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon platform. The current generation Meta Quest 3 headset also features the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chipset, which is specially designed for mixed-reality devices.

Conclusion: As the VR landscape continues to evolve, Meta’s decision to partner with Microsoft in Horizon OS underscores its proactive approach to innovation and the growing collaboration in the VR industry. Through this partnership with this strategic move, both companies are poised to chart new frontiers in virtual reality to shape the way we interact with digital experiences for years to come.