Meta is ‘pausing’ third-party VR headsets from ASUS and Lenovo

Final yr, Meta introduced that it was opening up its VR working system to different headset makers, beginning with ASUS and Lenovo. Now, it appears that evidently Meta is pumping the brakes on the hassle and people third-party Horizon OS headsets would possibly by no means really launch.

The corporate has “paused” this system, Street to VR reported. Meta confirmed the transfer in an announcement to Engadget, saying that it is as an alternative specializing in “constructing the world-class first-party {hardware} and software program wanted to advance the VR market.” ASUS and Lenovo did not instantly reply to a request for remark. Each corporations have mentioned little concerning the headsets since they have been first introduced in 2024. ASUS’ was going to be a “efficiency gaming” headset beneath its Republic of Players (ROG) model, whereas Lenovo’s was meant to be a combined actuality machine targeted on “productiveness, studying and leisure” experiences

The shift is not solely shocking. Meta Join was very mild on digital actuality information this yr as sensible glasses have grow to be a central focus for the corporate. Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported that Meta was planning important cuts to the groups engaged on digital actuality and Horizon Worlds. The corporate mentioned on the time it was “shifting a few of our funding from Metaverse towards AI glasses and wearables given the momentum there.”

Nonetheless, Meta is seemingly leaving the door open for third-party VR headsets sooner or later. “We’re dedicated to this for the long run and can revisit alternatives for Third-party machine partnerships because the class evolves,” the corporate mentioned.