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Meta, despite losing billions in its metaverse project, continues to invest in development of mixed reality headsets, in a bid to take a lead in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) space. One of the most important things for a headset to be successful is the availability of a wide number of apps. The Facebook parent company had a chance to get the required app support, however, it chose to go against that option, a report has said.
Citing a person involved in the talks, The Information reports that late last year, representatives from both Google and Meta met over a possibility of partnering over Android XR, Google’s software program, that could have added the full range of Android apps on the Quest headsets. But Meta chose to ‘rebuff’ the partnership.
“In a meeting between Google and Meta Platform staffers, Google suggested that Meta partner on Android XR, the new software platform Google is developing for virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed-reality headsets,” the report said.
The report noted that both companies had been in regular contact over Meta’s Quest VR headsets. Currently, the headsets run on an open-source version of Google’s Android operating system, which is modified by Meta.
But with this version of the software, Google doesn’t let Meta offer the full range of Android apps on the headsets, despite frequent requests from Meta.
“If the Facebook parent partnered more formally on Android XR, Meta’s headset would get access to those apps, making the headsets more useful for a broader range of tasks, such as videoconferencing,” the report noted, adding, “A formal partnership could also involve Meta contributing to the development of Android XR.”
Why Meta said ‘no’ to Google partnership
The report said that such a partnership could have thwarted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to “own the next computational platform for AR, VR and mixed reality.”
Notably, Meta is already talking to hardware companies, including South Korea’s LG Electronics about building new VR devices using Quest’s software. The Facebook co-founder recently met with LG leadership, and the companies announced that they have partnered to bring the South Korean giant’s technology in Meta’s next mixed reality headsets.
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