Meta has decided to pause its program for licensing its VR operating system, Horizon OS, to third-party companies. Initially announced in April 2024, this initiative aimed to allow manufacturers like Lenovo and Asus to create their own VR headsets using Meta’s platform. At the time, CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressed excitement about fostering an open ecosystem for developers and consumers alike.
Now, Meta is shifting gears to focus on its own VR hardware and software. Johanna Peace, a spokesperson for Meta, mentioned that the decision was made to strengthen their first-party offerings. They aim to reassess partnerships with other device makers in the future.
In recent developments, Meta has also postponed the launch of its mixed-reality glasses, codenamed “Phoenix,” moving the release from late 2026 to early 2027. Furthermore, there are plans to reduce the budget for the metaverse by up to a third next year, with some funding being redirected towards artificial intelligence wearables.
These changes reflect a larger trend in the tech industry. For instance, a recent survey showed that user interest in VR headsets is steady but has not significantly increased. This suggests that while VR technology is promising, it still has challenges ahead. As the market evolves, consumers are keen to see how major players like Meta will balance their investments in VR and AI to drive innovation.
For those interested in more insights on this topic, you can check out additional reports from credible sources like Business Insider for the latest updates in the VR landscape.
Source link
Meta,News,Tech,Virtual Reality
