Meta, despite losing billions on its metaverse project, continues to invest in the development of mixed reality headsets, in an attempt to take the lead in virtual reality (VR) i augmented reality (AR) space. One of the most important things for the success of the headset is the availability of a large number of applications. The Facebook parent company had the opportunity to get the necessary support for the apps, however, decided to go against that option, the report said.
Citing a person involved in the talks, The Information reports that late last year, representatives of both Google and Meta met about the possibility of a partnership on Android XR, Google’s software program, which could add a full range of Android applications to the Quest headset. But Meta decided to ‘reject’ the partnership.
“In a meeting between Google employees and Meta Platform, Google proposed that Meta become a partner on Android XR, a new software platform that Google is developing for virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality headsets,” the report said.
The report states that both companies have been in regular contact over the Meta Quest VR headset. Currently, the headset runs on an open-source version of Google’s Android operating system, which has been modified by Meta.
But with this version of the software, Google doesn’t allow Meta to offer the full range of Android apps on the headset, despite Meta’s frequent requests.
“If parent Facebook were a more formal partner on Android XR, Meta’s headset would gain access to those apps, making the headset more useful for a wider range of tasks, such as video conferencing,” the report said, adding: “A formal partnership could also involve Meta in contribution to the development of Android XR.”
Why Meta said ‘no’ to a partnership with Google
The report said such a partnership could have thwarted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to “own the next computing platform for AR, VR and mixed reality.”
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 management, and the companies announced that they have teamed up to bring the South Korean giant’s technology to Meta’s next mixed reality headset.
Citing a person involved in the talks, The Information reports that late last year, representatives of both Google and Meta met about the possibility of a partnership on Android XR, Google’s software program, which could add a full range of Android applications to the Quest headset. But Meta decided to ‘reject’ the partnership.
“In a meeting between Google employees and Meta Platform, Google proposed that Meta become a partner on Android XR, a new software platform that Google is developing for virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality headsets,” the report said.
The report states that both companies have been in regular contact over the Meta Quest VR headset. Currently, the headset runs on an open-source version of Google’s Android operating system, which has been modified by Meta.
But with this version of the software, Google doesn’t allow Meta to offer the full range of Android apps on the headset, despite Meta’s frequent requests.
“If parent Facebook were a more formal partner on Android XR, Meta’s headset would gain access to those apps, making the headset more useful for a wider range of tasks, such as video conferencing,” the report said, adding: “A formal partnership could also involve Meta in contribution to the development of Android XR.”
Why Meta said ‘no’ to a partnership with Google
The report said such a partnership could have thwarted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s plan to “own the next computing platform for AR, VR and mixed reality.”
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 management, and the companies announced that they have teamed up to bring the South Korean giant’s technology to Meta’s next mixed reality headset.