Meta has unveiled plans to expand the accessibility of its mixed reality devices by opening up its operating system, previously exclusive to its Quest line, to third-party hardware and software development. This move is accompanied by the rebranding of the operating system to "Meta Horizon OS" and the Quest Store to the "Meta Horizon Store." Additionally, Meta has secured partnerships with prominent tech companies Asus, Lenovo, and Microsoft's Xbox brand to collaborate on the development of their respective mixed or virtual reality devices.
Among the partners, Asus' Republic of Gamers is crafting a "high-performance gaming headset," although specifics regarding its features remain undisclosed. It's inferred that the headset may prioritize high-fidelity visuals and audio, along with robust multiplayer capabilities. Similarly, Lenovo is venturing into the development of Meta Horizon OS devices, leveraging its prior collaboration with Meta on the Oculus Rift S headset, which was subsequently rebranded as Meta following Facebook's transition.
In collaboration with Meta, Microsoft's Xbox brand is set to introduce a limited-edition Xbox-themed Meta Quest headset. While there's no indication of Xbox launching its standalone VR device to compete with PlayStation VR, the partnership aims to build upon their previous collaboration, enabling users to experience Xbox games on a virtual reality platform. This initiative extends the compatibility of Xbox games, allowing users to engage with them in a virtual environment on a flat 2D screen.
Additionally, Meta announced the forthcoming launch of an "App Lab" designed to showcase games from smaller developers. Functioning akin to the indie developer sections prevalent in various game storefronts, the App Lab aims to lower entry barriers for developers by featuring affordable prices and promoting lesser-known titles. Meta's blog post hinted at the seamless integration of App Lab content into the Meta Horizon Store, providing increased visibility for these offerings across all Meta devices, thereby facilitating their discovery by a broader audience.
