Meta has temporarily suspended its initiative to extend licenses for its proprietary virtual reality operating system to external hardware producers—a strategy that was originally designed to empower partner companies to create their own VR headsets built upon Meta’s established technological platform, according to a report published by *Road to VR*. This decision marks a significant shift in Meta’s broader approach to collaboration and ecosystem growth within the virtual and mixed reality sectors.
Initially unveiled in April 2024, the licensing effort represented an ambitious attempt by Meta to transition its VR ecosystem from a closed, first-party environment to a more open model conducive to global innovation and competition. The program involved granting access to Meta’s proprietary Quest OS—subsequently rebranded under the title *Horizon OS*—to a select group of hardware manufacturers, including technology firms such as Lenovo and Asus. By doing so, Meta hoped to stimulate broader adoption of its software platform beyond its own physical devices, establishing a vibrant, multi-brand ecosystem that would attract both developers and consumers through greater accessibility and interoperability.
At the time of the announcement, Meta’s leadership emphasized that this initiative was intended to expand the diversity of consumer choices while simultaneously fortifying the development community surrounding virtual reality applications. In an accompanying blog post, the company stated that this strategic direction would “provide more choice to consumers and a larger ecosystem for developers to build for,” a sentiment further echoed by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In a related video message, Zuckerberg elaborated that the long-term vision was to ensure that open models of collaboration would shape “the next generation of computing,” encompassing emerging technologies such as the metaverse, augmented-reality glasses, and immersive headsets. This commitment reflected Meta’s stated desire to avoid repeating the insular patterns that have historically characterized earlier waves of computing and digital platform development.
However, Meta has since altered course. The company has now placed the licensing program on hold in order to concentrate its resources and expertise on refining its own suite of first-party devices and accompanying software. In an official statement provided to *The Verge*, Meta spokesperson Johanna Peace explained the reasoning behind this pivot, saying, “We have paused the program to focus on building the world-class first-party hardware and software needed to advance the VR market.” Peace further clarified that while the company remains firmly dedicated to the long-term advancement of the virtual reality field, it intends to reassess opportunities for future collaboration with third-party device makers as market conditions and technological maturity evolve. This indicates that the initiative may resurface at a more strategically appropriate moment, when Meta deems the industry landscape more conducive to such partnerships.
These internal adjustments occur against the backdrop of broader strategic recalibrations within Meta’s extended reality and metaverse divisions. According to internal communications obtained and reported by *Business Insider*, the company has recently postponed the release of its mixed reality glasses project—codenamed “Phoenix”—from its originally planned launch window in the latter half of 2026 to the first half of 2027. Parallel to this rescheduling, Meta has also begun early-stage development of a new generation of its Quest headset line, signaling a continued investment in flagship hardware that anchors the company’s immersive technologies.
Simultaneously, financial restructuring appears to be underway. Reports suggest that Meta is contemplating a significant reduction—up to one-third—of its allocated metaverse budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This potential budgetary contraction suggests a reorientation of priorities within the company’s research and development efforts. Confirming this redirection, a spokesperson has indicated that Meta is reallocating a portion of its investment away from the metaverse domain and toward artificial intelligence–driven innovations, particularly focusing on advanced A.I. glasses and wearable devices. These moves underscore Meta’s evolving strategic vision: a shift toward integrating intelligent, context-aware hardware into its product portfolio while sustaining a long-term commitment to immersive digital experiences.
In summary, Meta’s temporary halt of its third-party Horizon OS program symbolizes a deliberate refocusing of its operational agenda. The company is prioritizing excellence in its internally developed VR products—both hardware and software—while maintaining a cautious, forward-looking stance toward future collaborations. Although the pause may appear to represent a retreat from openness, it may in fact be a calculated step designed to consolidate Meta’s technological leadership before expanding its ecosystem anew.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/846762/meta-vr-headsets-third-party-program-horizon-os
