Meta Signals Shift to Open Ecosystem, Hints at Advancements in Avatars and Third-Party VR Hardware
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Meta is signaling a strategic move toward a more open metaverse ecosystem, perhaps lessening its reliance on proprietary hardware. while the company isn’t expected to unveil new Quest headsets at its upcoming connect conference, developments surrounding third-party devices running MetaS Horizon OS and advancements in realistic avatar technology are anticipated. This shift comes as Meta navigates a changing VR landscape and seeks broader adoption of its metaverse vision.
Last year, Meta announced plans to license its Horizon OS to manufacturers like ASUS and Lenovo, opening the door for a wider range of virtual reality headsets compatible with Meta’s software. Though updates have been scarce, a recent leak suggests ASUS is poised to be the first to market with a Horizon OS-powered headset, potentially featuring integrated face and eye tracking.This move could accelerate innovation in VR hardware and offer consumers more choice beyond Meta’s own offerings.
Beyond hardware, Meta is also refining its ”Codec” holographic avatars, first previewed in 2023. Currently, Meta’s headsets lack the necessary sensors to fully support these advanced avatars. However, UploadVR reports Meta may showcase a simplified version compatible with the Quest 3, and potentially integrate the technology into everyday dialogue apps like WhatsApp and Messenger. This could bring more lifelike presence to video calls and virtual interactions, bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds.
