Meta Horizon OS is Now Here—But What Does it Bring?

The biggest update on Quest devices is here, with Meta introducing the world to the Horizon OS, its latest operating system that replaces the tech known as the Quest Platform. This new operating system is a massive release from Meta that centers on powering Quest virtual and mixed-reality headsets, but it is also offering the software to its partners to bring life to other wearables.

Meta Horizon OS is Now Here to Replace the Quest Platform

A new reel from Mark Zuckerberg's Instagram account introduced the latest Horizon OS platform for its Quest virtual and mixed-reality wearables, which replaces its previous tech. Zuckerberg touts the Horizon OS as its next step toward the metaverse, one that would bring a new ecosystem that would open it up to other brands, specifically for its partners.

We're opening up the operating system that powers our Meta Quest devices to third-party hardware makers, giving developers a larger ecosystem to build for and ultimately creating more choices for consumers.

Meta

In the company's press release, the focus is on a "more open" ecosystem that would bring mixed realities to many people, with developers seeing a larger range of hardware for their apps under the Android Open Source Project.

Horizon OS: Specific for Quest Virtual, XR; Partner VR Devices

The Horizon OS brings a purpose-specific approach in this release, and not only would it be available for Quest devices, but also for partners including ASUS, Lenovo, and Microsoft.

The Horizon OS's specific approach has various applications, encompassing virtual and mixed realities, productivity, exercise, gaming, and more.

ASUS ROG will bring a new gaming headset, Lenovo will focus on general-use headsets, and Microsoft will bring the Xbox for a Meta partnership that will soon bring Xbox Cloud Gaming and the Xbox experience to the wearable, all using the Horizon OS.

Meta's Quest Platform, VR, XR Platforms

The Quest Platform is known for powering the many iterations of Oculus and Meta's headset wearables throughout the years. It has seen significant updates for a long time now, but it centered more on general use. It is also known to be Android-based, and it applied this to the latest Horizon OS, best known for powering past and present Quest headsets.

This particular operating system focused on a general-use approach that served both its past virtual reality-centered devices down to its latest dive towards mixed-reality with Quest 3. It is known that Meta and Zuckerberg touted Quest 3 as a platform that brings mixed reality in its unique way, powered by the company's developments and features.

As the rivalry between Meta's Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro is still massive, this arrival of the Horizon OS fuels another Android vs. iOS feud, particularly as the new OS is Android-based.

Horizon OS is the new open computing platform for the metaverse. It is meant for Quest devices and its industry partners and focuses on massive experiences in its ecosystem.