Meta has put a hold on its initiative to license the Horizon OS to third-party hardware makers, a move first reported by Road to VR. The program, originally unveiled in April 2024, would have allowed companies like Lenovo and Asus to build their own VR headsets powered by Meta’s Quest OS, which Meta had renamed Horizon OS. At the time, Meta claimed the licensing would expand consumer options and broaden the developer ecosystem. In a video, CEO Mark Zuckerberg asserted that the open model could shape the next era of computing, alongside the metaverse, smart glasses, and headset devices.
Now, Meta says it is pausing the program to concentrate on strengthening its own first-party hardware and software offerings in the VR space. A Meta spokesperson explained to The Verge that the pause is a strategic step while the company invests in core, world-class products, with plans to revisit third-party partnerships as the category matures.
Separately, internal memos reported by Business Insider indicate Meta has shifted its timeline for mixed-reality glasses, code-named Phoenix, delaying their launch from late 2026 to early 2027. The company is also reportedly launching a new Quest device and is considering trimming up to a third of its metaverse budget next year, with a spokesperson noting a reallocation of funds from Metaverse initiatives toward artificial intelligence-enabled glasses and wearables.
Why this matters: the pause signals a tighter control over Meta’s VR ecosystem as the company doubles down on in-house innovation. It also raises questions about the viability and timeline of a broader third-party hardware market for Horizon OS, and how budget reallocations might influence future Metaverse ambitions.
What do you think will be the long-term impact of prioritizing internal development over external partnerships in immersive tech? Share your thoughts in the comments.
