Meta expands mixed reality dominance with new partnerships

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, is making significant strides in the mixed reality market with the announcement of new partnerships and hardware initiatives. The tech giant is collaborating with ASUS to develop a third-party gaming headset that will run on Meta's Horizon OS. ASUS' Republic of Gamers brand aims to deliver high-performance hardware tailored to the needs of passionate gamers. Additionally, Meta has joined forces with Xbox and Lenovo to introduce new headsets. Xbox is set to release a limited edition Meta Quest inspired by its brand, while Lenovo is focusing on a headset designed for productivity, learning, and entertainment.

On the software front, Meta is rebranding its Quest Store to the Meta Horizon Store and integrating a section for App Lab. This move streamlines the user experience by consolidating experimental and in-development apps into a single platform. Notably, Meta is adopting a more open approach, allowing Quest owners easier access to content from alternative storefronts like Steam. The company is also encouraging Google to bring its Google Play store to Quest headsets, proposing a similar economic model to that of other platforms.

These developments underscore Meta's commitment to establishing itself as a leader in the mixed reality and metaverse sectors. Following its rebranding in 2021, Meta has been actively expanding its VR offerings, notably with the success of the Quest 2 headset. By fostering partnerships and enhancing software accessibility, Meta is poised to shape the future of mixed reality experiences.