Meta has introduced Meta Horizon OS, a mixed reality operating system powering Meta Quest headsets.
The name reflects their focus on people and connection. Meta Horizon OS combines core technologies for mixed reality with social features, making social presence central to the platform.
Meta Horizon OS Development
The company emphasized that Meta Horizon OS is the culmination of a decade-long effort to develop a next-generation computing platform. Meta pioneered standalone headsets with technologies like inside-out tracking and advanced interaction systems.
Their investment in blending digital and physical worlds includes high-resolution Passthrough, Scene Understanding, and Spatial Anchors.
Empowering Developers and Creators
Developers and creators can utilize Meta Horizon OS’s custom frameworks and tools to create mixed reality experiences.
They can also connect with their communities and expand their businesses through the Meta Horizon Store, which offers a wide range of immersive apps and experiences.
Social Integration Across Platforms
The Horizon social layer, currently available on Meta Quest devices, will extend across the Meta Horizon OS ecosystem. This integration allows people to maintain their identities, avatars, and friend groups across virtual spaces and platforms.
Developers can incorporate rich social features into their apps, enabling cross-platform interactions.
A More Open App Ecosystem
Meta is opening up Meta Horizon OS to more device makers and expanding the ways app developers can reach audiences. They are removing barriers between the Meta Horizon Store and App Lab, making it easier for developers to publish their software.
Popular App Lab titles will soon be featured in a dedicated section of the Store, enhancing their discoverability.
Expanding Content Access
Meta Horizon OS provides users with multiple ways to access content beyond the Meta Horizon Store.
Users can access popular gaming services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and stream PC software wirelessly to headsets through services like Steam Link or Air Link.
Meta encourages the Google Play 2D app store to join Meta Horizon OS, maintaining its existing economic model.
Upcoming Devices
Leading global technology companies are developing new devices based on Meta Horizon OS:
- ASUS’s Republic of Gamers is creating a performance gaming headset.
- Lenovo is designing mixed reality devices for productivity, learning, and entertainment.
- Xbox and Meta are collaborating on a limited-edition Meta Quest inspired by Xbox.
These devices benefit from collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., leveraging Snapdragon processors tightly integrated with Meta’s software and hardware stacks.
Announcing the new Open App Ecosystem, Meta stated:
Today, we’re advancing toward our vision of a more open computing platform for the metaverse with ‘Meta Horizon OS’. By extending the operating system that powers our Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, we’re offering consumers more options and providing developers with a broader ecosystem to create for.
Collaborating with leading global technology companies, we’re bringing this new ecosystem to fruition, simplifying the app development process and expanding access for developers to connect with their audiences on our platform.