Meta Expands VR App Store with 2D Apps and Enhanced User Features

Meta Expands Horizons for Quest Headsets with New App Store Features

Meta’s Quest headsets, along with their dedicated app store, have been serving users with a variety of 3D and augmented reality (AR) applications for some time. However, the recent announcement during Meta Connect reveals a significant shift in strategy. Mark Rabkin, Vice President of Quest and Horizon OS, announced that from this day forward, the Meta app store will begin to "fully welcome 2D and spatial apps." This shift represents a broader vision for the platform and aims to enhance user experience and application diversity.

Incorporation of Web Apps in the Meta Ecosystem

In addition to supporting native applications, Meta revealed that it now facilitates web apps in its environment. A notable example is the introduction of the popular Wordle app from The New York Times, which has transitioned to a Progressive Web App (PWA) model tailored for Quest headsets. This addition marks a pivotal step towards integrating more familiar and widely-used applications within the Meta ecosystem.

Transition from a Curated Approach

Previously, the Meta app store was heavily curated, offering only a limited number of applications under the experimental App Lab section. With today’s updates, it appears that Meta is aligning its app store with the common practices seen in major online platforms like Google Play and Apple’s App Store. This shift encourages developers to create and submit more traditional smartphone- or tablet-style apps designed for the Quest VR experience. Notably, Meta has phased out the App Lab section, making way for more comprehensive options for developers.

User Customization and Multi-App Functionality

Further enhancing the user experience, Meta has rolled out features that allow users to customize their app layout more freely. Quest users can now:

• Place apps wherever they want within their virtual space.
• Change the size of apps to fit personal preferences.
• Run up to six apps simultaneously, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
• Open a 2D app within an immersive VR experience, enabling seamless interaction between different types of applications.

These features echo major offerings seen in Apple’s visionOS, suggesting that Meta is taking cues from its competitors and aiming to create a more versatile and user-friendly platform.

Learning from Apple's Vision Pro

Perhaps Meta’s strategy is influenced by Apple's successful rollout of the Vision Pro, which supported numerous iPad and iPhone apps from the outset. By embracing a more open app ecosystem and inviting a wider array of applications, Meta aims to enrich the Quest user experience, attract developers, and foster a vibrant community around their virtual reality offerings.

Conclusion

As Meta continues to develop its Quest platform, the recent enhancements in its app store signify a transformative step towards providing a more engaging and accommodating environment for users and developers alike. With the integration of 2D apps, support for web apps, and improved customization features, the landscape of virtual reality usage is set to evolve, making it more similar to traditional computing platforms. This adaptability could be what the Quest headsets need to remain competitive in a rapidly changing tech environment.