Meta Pauses Horizon OS Third-Party Expansion

Meta has confirmed that its plans to bring Horizon OS, the software on Quest headsets, to third-party devices have been paused. This strategic shift represents a significant change in the company's approach to the mixed reality market.

The decision to halt the licensing program likely benefits Android XR, Google's competing platform. With Meta stepping back from opening its ecosystem, hardware manufacturers may look to Google's software for their devices. This development alters the competitive landscape for virtual reality operating systems.

The initiative to expand Horizon OS beyond Meta's own hardware was a major announcement earlier this year. Meta intended to create an open ecosystem similar to how Android operates in the smartphone world. This would allow various manufacturers to build VR headsets using Meta's software.

However, the company has now put these plans on hold. The confirmation of this pause signals a change in priorities. It suggests that Meta is reassessing how it wants to approach the market and compete with rivals.

Several hardware partners were reportedly working on devices that would run Horizon OS. Companies like ASUS and Lenovo had been mentioned in previous discussions about the platform's expansion. These projects are now effectively stalled.

The pause leaves these manufacturers in a difficult position. They must now decide whether to wait for Meta to resume the program or switch to a different operating system. The most likely alternative is Android XR, which is actively seeking hardware partners.

Meta's hesitation creates a vacuum that Android XR is well-positioned to fill. Google has been building its own ecosystem for spatial computing. With Meta stepping back, Google gains a significant advantage in attracting third-party device makers.

This shift could accelerate the adoption of Android XR as the standard for non-Meta hardware. The competition between these two tech giants for control over the next generation of computing platforms is intensifying.

It remains unclear when or if Meta will revive its plans to license Horizon OS. The company may be focusing entirely on its own upcoming hardware releases, such as future iterations of the Quest line. This strategy would keep the software and hardware tightly integrated.

The VR industry is watching closely to see how this decision impacts the market. If Android XR gains traction with major hardware partners, it could challenge Meta's current dominance in the consumer VR space.