Android XR Poses a Critical Challenge to Meta’s XR Aspirations

Meta has made no secret of its ambition to become the “Android of XR.” Yet, it’s not alone on this journey, as Android XR is also vying for the same title.

When we put aside the technical specs and features, one element is poised to become a pivotal factor in deciding if Meta can withstand the mounting competition from Google and Apple in the XR arena: flat apps.

Flat apps like Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord might not be the most thrilling prospects for headset use. However, Vision Pro’s support for a wide array of flat iPadOS apps demonstrates just how enhanced the XR experience becomes when it integrates with our favorite apps, instead of alienating us from them when using headsets. Android XR is now tapping into this benefit by allowing access to all Android apps on the Play Store.

Though Meta’s headsets are renowned for gaming, XR’s scope stretches far beyond this sphere.

Consider the broader picture: a gaming-centric company, such as Nintendo, won’t reach the mass scale of a firm constructing an extensive computing platform like Microsoft. This disparity is why Microsoft’s market value is 43 times that of Nintendo. Of course, the comparison isn’t flawless since Microsoft’s ventures extend beyond computing platforms, but the analogy serves its purpose here.

In the duel between Meta and Google, two XR ecosystems emerge:

– Meta’s Horizon OS offers an unmatched collection of immersive apps.
– Google’s Android XR delivers an unparalleled library of flat apps.

To secure dominance in the XR field, both need each other’s strengths. But who’s facing the greater hurdle?

It seems Meta has the tougher road ahead.

Immersive app creators are keen on expansion, and gaining an additional 25% user base by adapting to Android XR is a no-brainer for them.

Conversely, significant flat apps like Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord see minimal benefit from migrating to Horizon OS. Their potential increase might be a mere 0.25% compared to their vast Android user base.

One might argue, “Since Horizon OS is based on Android, porting apps should be a breeze!” And technically, it’s a straightforward task. But for expansive apps with massive followings and frequent updates, the true test lies in ongoing support and maintenance—a hefty undertaking.

Therefore, Google is more likely to lure essential immersive apps to Android XR than Meta is to attract critical flat apps to Horizon OS. Without a robust collection of flat apps, Meta risks its headset being pigeonholed as just immersive gaming devices rather than multi-use computing tools.

That’s certainly not Meta’s aspiration. After all, Meta ventured into the XR domain a decade ago with the intent to define XR as the “next computing platform” before Apple or Google could seize the reins.

While you may question the necessity of flat apps in the XR framework, there’s no denying that a platform with both flat and immersive apps will outshine one that only offers one or the other.

Even if Meta consistently produces superior hardware—20% faster, lighter, and cheaper than Android XR headsets—it could still falter in the long term if core flat apps aren’t part of its offering.

This challenge presents a significant existential threat to Meta’s XR goals, and as of now, there’s no clear-cut solution on the horizon.