Android XR Poses a Significant Challenge That Could Define Meta’s XR Future

Meta has openly declared its ambition to become the “Android of XR.” Interestingly enough, Android XR is vying for the same title.

Beyond the technical details or specific features, one critical element could dictate whether Meta can withstand the mounting competition from tech giants like Google and Apple in the XR arena: flat apps.

Apps like Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord might not set your pulse racing as far as headset applications go. However, Vision Pro, which can tap into an extensive collection of iPadOS flat apps, clearly demonstrates the added value when XR headsets integrate with familiar apps rather than isolating the experience. Now, Android XR is leveraging this by ensuring compatibility with all current Android apps available on the Play Store.

While Meta’s headsets shine in the gaming sphere, it’s evident that XR’s scope is much broader than just gaming.

Consider this: a company that focuses exclusively on gaming, such as Nintendo, will never reach the scale of a company like Microsoft that builds a more expansive computing platform. Microsoft’s valuation overshadows Nintendo’s by 43 times. Even though Microsoft isn’t strictly a platform-building entity, the point is clear enough.

So in the XR battle, we have two contenders:

Meta’s Horizon OS is renowned for its vast and superior collection of immersive applications. Meanwhile, Google’s Android XR boasts the largest and most impressive library of flat apps.

For either platform to reign supreme, they need what the other has. So, who’s facing the steeper uphill climb?

Meta appears to be in a more challenging position.

Immersive app developers are eager to expand their audience. If a well-liked game can increase its user base by 25% by transitioning to Android XR, the choice is a no-brainer.

Conversely, major flat apps like Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord have little to gain from adapting to Horizon OS. It would be optimistic to think they could attract even a 0.25% increase in users compared to their Android totals.

You might wonder, “Isn’t Horizon OS based on Android, making app porting straightforward?” Technically speaking, transferring apps may be relatively straightforward. Yet, for major applications with vast user communities and frequent updates, the true challenge lies in continued support and maintenance, which is a substantial undertaking.

Therefore, Google is in a stronger position to lure important immersive apps to Android XR than Meta is to draw essential flat apps to Horizon OS. Without a significant array of flat apps, Meta’s headset might merely appear as immersive gaming consoles instead of versatile computing devices.

That’s exactly the outcome Meta wants to avoid. Meta’s foray into XR a decade ago was strategically aimed at mastering XR as the “next computing platform” before companies like Apple or Google could dominate the scene.

You may not view flat apps as a pivotal component of the XR experience, but it’s undeniable that a platform featuring both key flat and immersive apps will outshine one lacking either.

Even if Meta consistently produces superior hardware—let’s say headsets that are 20% faster, lighter, and less expensive than Android XR equivalents—I doubt it will matter in the grand scheme of things if they lack critical flat apps on their platform.

This poses a serious threat to Meta’s XR ambitions, and presently, there’s no clear path to overcoming it.