Meta is opening its operating system that powers the Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, giving developers a larger ecosystem to build for and, ultimately, creating more choice for consumers.

The company says opening the platform—which is the product of a decade of investment into underlying technologies that enable mixed realities—will allow more people to benefit from its investment. Meta says it is working with global technology companies to create a new ecosystem of mixed reality devices, which they claim will make it easier for developers to build mixed reality apps.

“We believe a more open ecosystem is the best way to bring the power of mixed reality to as many people as possible. With more devices, this new ecosystem will offer more choice to consumers and businesses around the world. Developers will have a much larger range of hardware that can run their apps, and more device makers will expand their market to a wider range of users, much like we’ve seen with PCs and smartphones,” said the company in a post.

This new hardware ecosystem will run on Meta Horizon OS, the mixed reality operating system that powers Meta Quest headsets. Meta Horizon OS combines the core technologies that power today’s mixed reality experiences with a suite of features that put social presence at the center of the platform.

A New Generation Of Hardware with Meta

A few global technology companies are already working to bring the new ecosystem to life with new devices built on Meta Horizon OS. Here is a small list:

• ASUS’s Republic of Gamers will use its expertise in gaming solutions to develop an all-new performance gaming headset.
• Lenovo will draw on its experience co-designing Oculus Rift S, as well as expertise in engineering leading devices like the ThinkPad laptop series, to develop mixed reality devices for productivity, learning, and entertainment.
• Xbox and Meta teamed up last year to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) to Meta Quest, letting people play Xbox games on a large 2D virtual screen in mixed reality. The companies are once again working together again to create a limited-edition Meta Quest, inspired by Xbox.

In addition, Meta believes all of these devices will benefit from its long-term partnership with Qualcomm Technologies, which builds the Snapdragon processors that are tightly integrated with its software and hardware stacks.

A More Open App Ecosystem

As the company opens Meta Horizon OS to more device makers, it is also expanding the ways app developers can reach their audiences as it is beginning the process of removing the barriers between the Meta Horizon Store and App Lab, which lets any developer who meets basic technical and content requirements release software on the platform. App Lab titles will soon be featured in a dedicated section of the store on all its devices, making them easy for larger audiences to discover.

Meta is also developing a new spatial app framework that helps mobile developers create mixed reality experiences. Developers will be able to use the tools they’re already familiar with to bring their mobile apps to Meta Horizon OS or to create entirely new mixed reality apps.

“Consumers and developers alike will benefit from an ecosystem where multiple hardware makers build on a common platform. We look forward to continuing on this journey to bring mixed reality to more people,” concluded Meta.