Meta (META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg is taking a cue from Google’s Android playbook by announcing Monday that his company will make its Meta Horizon operating system for AR/VR headsets open source. The move means that third-party companies will now be able to use Meta Horizon as the software basis for their own headsets.
Zuckerberg announced this decision via Instagramarguing that the next era of computing should be powered by an open software model.
“Our goal is to have the open model once again define the next generation of computing with the metaverse, glasses and headsets,” Zuckerberg said. “That’s why we’re releasing our operating system so more companies can build different things on it.”
Google’s Android operating system (GOOG, GOOGL) is considered an open software model because it allows users to install third-party applications, albeit through a complicated and annoying process. Windows PCs and Apple Macs (AAPL) also offer open software models, allowing you to download and install any applications you want.
However, Apple’s iPhone, iPad, Watch, and Vision Pro are closed, meaning you can only install software from the Apple App Store. It’s worth noting that Zuckerberg has long had a distaste for Apple and its closed software model. The CEO has repeatedly criticized the company for not allowing certain app features on the iPhone and for introducing privacy options that prevent Meta from capturing user data.
Zuckerberg said Meta was already working with ASUS, Lenovo and Microsoft (MSFT) on plans for future headsets, and that other companies would follow. However, he also pointed out that it will likely take a few years for the headsets to hit the market.
So far, the plan appears to be for Meta’s partners to develop headsets for specific use cases. Meta currently offers its Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3, Meta Quest Pro, and Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses.
In his Instagram post, Zuckerberg cited an example of a lightweight headset that pairs with a computer in your office dedicated to productivity work, while another could focus on watching movies and videos and be equipped with high-resolution OLED displays.
He also discussed ideas for fitness-focused headsets built with lightweight, sweat-wicking materials, as well as an Xbox-style headset that connects to Microsoft’s Game Pass service and a controller to let gamers play anywhere they want it.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a company attempt to create an AR/VR ecosystem with third-party manufacturing partners. Microsoft also tried to get its now-defunct Windows Mixed Reality platform off the ground, with manufacturing partners like ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung building headsets powered by…
