Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg outlines the company’s strategy for virtual reality. (Image: Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images)
Meta Challenges Apple’s Virtual Reality Stronghold
In a bold move that mirrors the battle between Android and iOS in smartphones, Meta announced its plan to partner with external hardware manufacturers to develop virtual reality headsets powered by its Meta Horizon operating system. This strategy opens the door to a diverse range of VR devices, challenging Apple’s dominance in the premium VR market with its ,500 Vision Pro headset.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg declared that this partnership will recreate the “open versus closed model” dynamic prevalent in smartphones. While Apple maintains a tight grip on its VR ecosystem, Meta’s approach embraces openness, encouraging a variety of hardware options at various price points.
A Meta Horizon VR headset, powered by Meta’s open-source operating system. (Image: Josh Edelson | AFP | Getty Images)
Strategic Maneuvers and the Metaverse Ambitions
Meta’s strategic investment in its Reality Labs division, despite billions in losses, is driven by its goal to establish a next-generation platform in virtual and augmented reality. Zuckerberg expressed his desire to create an independent app store ecosystem, free from Apple’s restrictions. Meta Horizon’s open operating system provides the foundation for this vision.
Partnerships and the Future of VR
In addition to hardware collaborations, Meta extended an invitation to Google, inviting its Google Play app store to join the Horizon-based headsets. Steam and Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming are also targeted for inclusion in Meta’s VR ecosystem.
Open-Source Philosophy and Business Model
Details about Meta’s partnership agreements and software business model remain undisclosed. However, the company’s open-source philosophy aims to empower hardware partners to create specialized devices for specific markets and use cases. Zuckerberg emphasized that Meta wants all content to seamlessly run on its operating system across various devices.
New VR Horizons
Meta revealed plans for a Quest headset influenced by Xbox, echoing the trend towards customized VR experiences. The release of these new devices is anticipated within the next few years. As the battle for virtual reality supremacy unfolds, the open-source approach and external partnerships adopted by Meta position it as a formidable contender in this rapidly evolving tech landscape.
Data sourced from: cnbc.com
