Meta Pauses Horizon OS Licensing to Third Parties

Meta Platforms Inc. has paused its initiative to license its Horizon OS software to third-party manufacturers for virtual and mixed reality headsets, redirecting efforts toward enhancing its own Quest devices amid intensifying competition in the XR market.

The decision, confirmed by company spokespeople, halts collaborations with partners including ASUS and Lenovo that were underway to develop hardware running Horizon OS. Announced in April 2023, the program aimed to expand the operating system beyond Meta's proprietary lineup, fostering a broader ecosystem similar to those in personal computing and smartphones. ASUS had been working on a high-performance gaming headset, while Lenovo focused on mixed-reality devices for productivity and entertainment. A Meta spokesperson stated, "We have paused the program to focus on building the world-class first-party hardware and software needed to advance the VR market." The company added that it remains committed to the concept long-term and plans to revisit third-party partnerships as the sector matures, though no timeline was provided.

Horizon OS, rebranded from Quest OS earlier this year, powers Meta's Quest headsets and supports...