- Expanded App Support: Meta’s Quest headsets now support 2D, spatial, and web apps, broadening the app store’s focus beyond 3D and AR experiences.
- Increased User Flexibility: Users can now place, resize, and use up to six apps at once, as well as open 2D apps while using immersive VR apps.
- Open App Store Approach: Meta is moving toward a more open app store model, similar to Google and Apple, encouraging developers to bring more smartphone-like apps to the platform.
Meta is expanding the capabilities of its Quest headsets and app store, previously focused mainly on 3D and AR apps. During Meta Connect, Quest VP Mark Rabkin announced that the platform now supports 2D and spatial apps, making the Meta app store more versatile. This shift allows users to access a broader range of software experiences, beyond immersive games and augmented reality and opens the door for developers to bring more varied apps into the Quest ecosystem.
In addition to 2D and spatial apps, Meta now supports web apps, adding more flexibility to its offerings. A notable example is the New York Times Wordle app, available as a Progressive Web App on Quest headsets. This suggests that Meta aims to integrate widely popular apps into its VR ecosystem, bridging the gap between traditional web experiences and immersive virtual reality environments.
Previously, Meta’s app store was highly curated, with a section called App Lab dedicated to experimental apps. However, with the new announcement, App Lab is being phased out, and the app store is shifting to a more open model, akin to Google or Apple’s marketplaces. This change encourages developers to bring smartphone- or tablet-like apps to the platform, making the app store more accessible and appealing to a wider audience.
Quest users now have greater control over how they interact with apps. They can place apps wherever they want in their virtual space, resize them, and even use up to six apps simultaneously. Additionally, users can open a 2D app while engaged in an immersive VR experience, adding to the versatility of the platform. These features mirror aspects of Apple’s vision OS, signaling Meta’s intention to stay competitive in the evolving VR and AR market.
Meta’s latest moves suggest that the company may have drawn inspiration from Apple’s Vision Pro, which launched with a strong base of iPad and iPhone apps. By expanding the types of apps available on Quest headsets and offering a more flexible user experience, Meta is positioning itself as a more comprehensive platform for both entertainment and productivity in the virtual world.
