Meta has boldly declared its ambition to become the “Android of XR.” Interestingly, Android XR itself shares that lofty goal.
While specs and features are crucial, there’s a pivotal element that will likely determine if Meta can withstand the mounting pressure from giants like Google and Apple in the XR arena: flat apps.
Now, I know what you’re thinking; flat apps—like Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord—might seem a bit mundane for a headset. However, Vision Pro, which readily accommodates a vast array of flat iPadOS apps, has demonstrated the significant value added when you blend the XR experience with the applications we already adore. This approach sidesteps the barrier of completely detaching us from our favorite apps when donning a headset. Android XR is echoing this strategy by ensuring compatibility with the entire range of Android apps available on the Play Store.
Although Meta’s devices shine brightest in the realm of gaming, it’s undeniable that the XR’s potential is not confined to games.
Consider this: a company focusing exclusively on gaming, like Nintendo, could never achieve the vast reach of one that builds a comprehensive computing platform, such as Microsoft. That’s a key reason Microsoft’s worth dwarfs that of Nintendo by a factor of 43. Sure, it isn’t a perfect comparison—as Microsoft’s scope goes well beyond just building a platform—but you get the gist.
So, what we have here are two competing XR platforms:
– Meta’s Horizon OS boasts the most extensive and impressive library of immersive apps.
– Google’s Android XR is home to the largest and most robust collection of flat apps.
Both need the strengths of the other to dominate XR fully. The question is, who’s in for the steeper climb?
Currently, it seems Meta has the tougher challenge.
There’s an undeniable hunger among developers of immersive apps for expansion. Porting a popular game to Android XR could mean a 25% boost in users, making it an easy choice. On the flip side, large flat apps (like Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord) aren’t likely to see much user growth from a switch to Horizon OS. They’d be fortunate to see even a 0.25% uptick over what they already enjoy on Android as a whole.
You might argue, “Horizon OS is built on Android, shouldn’t porting apps be a breeze?” Technically, yes—the porting process might not be overly complex. However, for major apps with large user bases and frequent updates, the real hurdle lies in the continued support and upkeep, which is no small undertaking.
Thus, Google appears to have a leg up in attracting essential immersive apps to Android XR, leaving Meta to grapple with the uphill task of bringing the indispensable flat apps to Horizon OS. Without a significant number of flat apps, Meta risks its headset being pigeonholed as just immersive gaming devices rather than versatile computing gadgets.
And that’s a scenario Meta desperately wants to avoid. Let’s not forget, Meta ventured into XR nearly a decade ago with the very aim of controlling it as the “next computing platform” before the likes of Apple or Google could seize it.
You might not see flat apps as crucial to the XR experience, but if a platform manages to integrate both crucial flat and immersive apps, it’ll likely edge out its rival with only one type.
Even if Meta consistently rolls out hardware that’s faster, lighter, and more affordable than its Android XR counterparts by a solid 20%, it probably won’t be enough in the grand scheme without the presence of essential flat apps on their platform.
This poses an existential risk to Meta’s XR dreams, and currently, there’s no obvious fix in sight.
