Meta Launches “Meta Quest” System Open to Third-Party Manufacturers
Tech giant Meta has recently announced that it will open up its mixed reality device, “Meta Quest,” system to third-party hardware manufacturers such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft. This means that these companies will be able to use the Meta operating system to develop their own mixed reality devices.
Meta stated that they are collaborating with leading global tech companies to expand the ecosystem of mixed reality and provide developers with greater development opportunities. By extending the Meta Quest system to other company products, it will promote the development of more applications and content, making the technology and applications of mixed reality more diverse.
Meta has named this operating system “Meta Horizon OS.” Horizon OS features built-in tracking capabilities that can detect users’ body movements and enable control. Additionally, it has high-resolution perspective, scene understanding, and spatial anchors capabilities. Any mixed reality device from collaborating companies can adopt the Horizon OS system.
Meta states that they will allow developers to utilize the features of the Horizon OS system to develop new applications, which can then be released on Meta’s content platform, such as the Meta Horizon Store, for users to download and earn profits.
ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft are all partners of Meta. The software or systems currently running on Meta Quest devices to support social interactions will be expanded to use the Horizon OS system on devices from different manufacturers. This will allow users to interact with other identities, virtual characters, and communities across devices. Additionally, all devices running Horizon OS will use the same mobile app called “Meta Horizon App.”
Currently, many hardware manufacturers are developing devices that run on Horizon OS. For example, ASUS’s gaming brand, Republic of Gamers (ROG), is developing a new performance gaming device with Horizon OS. Although specific details have not been revealed, this product may offer mixed reality functionality for gamers.
Chinese tech company Lenovo is also developing a new mixed reality device using the Horizon OS system to enhance productivity, learning, and entertainment experiences. Lenovo already has some experience in this field, as it previously worked with Facebook, now known as Meta, to create the virtual reality device Oculus Rift S. Later, when Meta rebranded, it discontinued Oculus and renamed it Meta Quest.
Microsoft’s Xbox is also collaborating with Meta to develop a “Limited Edition Xbox-themed” Meta Quest device. Additionally, Meta has opened up the ability to run Xbox cloud gaming services on Quest devices, deepening the cooperation between the two companies.
However, currently, Xbox does not seem to have plans to independently release its own brand of mixed reality devices.
Source:
Business Standard, Cointelegraph, CNBC
Edited by: Gao Jingyuan