- Meta, an internet company, announced that the mixed reality operating system that drives the Meta Quest headsets can now be officially used by manufacturers of third-party devices.
- For this mixed reality operation, Meta will tap Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft’s Xbox as partners.
- The question remains if it will avail Meta in the race with Apple and Sony or if the Quest-like headsets will even be popular or not.
Meta released that the third-party device makers can officially employ the mixed reality operating system that powers Meta Quest headsets. The first three major tech companies, Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft’s Xbox, confirm that they will be creating new devices that run the software.
About the new system
Meta quest headsets are followed with a system called “Meta Horizon OS”. Developers can use this open system to access technologies such as high-resolution passthrough, a popular mixed-reality feature that lets users see their surroundings while wearing a headset, and eye, face, hand, and body tracking.
According to the company Meta, the Meta Quest app on iOS and Android devices can be used to connect any future headset.
The release of Meta Horizon OS coincides with an intensifying competition among Meta, Apple, and Sony for VR/AR headsets. Although the company’s decision to release the open operating system is undoubtedly a smart one, it is unclear whether Meta will benefit from it in the long run or if the Quest-like headsets will even gain traction.
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Future cooperation with third-party headset makers
Notably, according to the announcement, Microsoft and Meta are collaborating to create a “limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox.”
Conversely, manufacturers such as Asus and Lenovo are producing headsets tailored to particular applications. For instance, Lenovo wants to use its device for “productivity, learning, and entertainment,” while Asus is creating a headset specifically for gaming.
