In recent years, Meta has evolved into one of the largest producers of commercial consumer VR headsets. Meta Quest 3 (test) marks the start of serious mixed reality. A new platform will now be created for other providers using Meta Horizon OS. Included: Lenovo, Asus ROG, and Qualcomm.
In the new platform, each of the four manufacturers is responsible for a region. With Meta Horizon OS, Meta provides the foundation for the next generation of mixed reality headsets. Horizon OS is named after the Meta's virtual reality social network Horizon World, which aims to usher in the Metaverse for the Meta. Close connection to the grid, which is not yet available in Germany, is (still) the core of the new programme.
Horizon OS as a new platform
Horizon OS already exists: The OS formerly known as Meta Quest Software already powers Quest (theme) headsets and receives regular updates, most recently an improved passthrough mode.
With Horizon OS, the operating system is now more accessible: on the one hand for developers, because the App Store and App Lab will be integrated. In the App Lab, developers can deploy and test applications that are incomplete, but access to which is currently complex. Many apps start there and only later make it to the regular Meta Horizon store. App Lab will now be a regular part of the Horizon Store and will have its own tab.
The company explains that since the Quest's launch, more and more mixed reality interfaces have been put into the hands of developers. Ten years of experience from the Quest series and associated software experiences will continue to flow into Horizon OS.
Lenovo is developing MR headphones
On the other hand, the operating system will also be opened to hardware partners: Lenovo and Asus ROG will therefore be responsible for the headphones. The blog already goes into rough details about the consumer groups that the two manufacturers will target: Lenovo will focus on mixed reality, entertainment and productivity. This will see Lenovo compete with Apple, which released the Vision Pro a few months ago, which has a similar focus.
[…] Lenovo combines Meta Horizon OS with our leadership and innovation in personal computing to accelerate the adoption of new user scenarios in mixed reality such as virtual displays, telepresence, content consumption and end-to-end training.
Yuanqing Yang, Chairman and CEO of Lenovo
ASUS ROG is developing gaming headsets
Meanwhile, ASUS ROG will produce VR glasses for gamers. The blog doesn't go into detail about whether these will also be mixed reality solutions, but it's likely that VR games and apps will increasingly use new mechanics that integrate environment and game.
[…] With Meta Horizon OS, ASUS and Republic of Gamers will build next-generation gaming headsets.
Si Hsu, Co-CEO of ASUS
Cooperation with Xbox
Aside from outsourcing production to Asus ROG and Lenovo, Meta wants to publish an “Xbox-inspired” Meta Quest in collaboration with Microsoft. in the video On X Mark Zuckerberg also hints at the possibility of a Quest headset in a bundle with an Xbox console and Game Pass membership. Meta has not yet released details about the collaboration.
The chips are still from Qualcomm
Long-term technology partner Qualcomm will be responsible for performance. Accordingly, not only are Meta-specific chipsets expected, but Asus and Lenovo should also be able to use the technology that Meta develops with Qualcomm. Meanwhile, the chip developer talks about the need to “A new class of Snapdragon processorsFor Meta Horizon OS. The blog does not provide any details, but it is likely that the cooperation will be deepened and SoCs will be produced exclusively for the new Meta platform.
The convergence of physical and digital spaces is accelerating, and we see virtual reality, mixed reality, and augmented reality becoming the next computing platform. To enable this future, these high-performance devices require an entirely new class of Snapdragon processors.
Cristiano Amon, President and CEO of Qualcomm.
SnapdragonThe future of mixed reality“It remains to be seen whether we can achieve this expectation together as a foursome.
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