Android XR Presents a Crucial Challenge That Could Define Meta’s XR Future

Meta has openly expressed its ambition to become “the Android of XR.” Interestingly, they aren’t the only ones with that goal—Android XR is also eyeing the same prize.

While specifications and features draw attention, the real game changer in the battle among Meta, Google, and Apple in the XR realm could be the integration of flat apps. These are your everyday favorites—Spotify, TikTok, Snapchat, and Discord. They may not be the flashiest reason to strap on a headset, yet Apple’s Vision Pro has demonstrated the immense value added by integrating our well-loved apps into the XR world, instead of isolating us when using a headset. Android XR has followed suit by making all the Android apps on the Play Store accessible.

Meta’s devices have made a strong name in gaming, but the XR potential reaches far beyond this sphere. To illustrate, a company that centers on gaming, like Nintendo, can never quite match the scope of a vast computing platform entity like Microsoft. That difference is clear in the market worth—Microsoft towers over Nintendo by 43 times. While it’s not an exact parallel since Microsoft’s presence extends beyond computing platforms, the point remains vivid.

We’re looking at two competing XR platforms: Meta’s Horizon OS, boasting the largest, most remarkable library of immersive apps, and Google’s Android XR with its enormous collection of flat apps. Each platform desires what the other excels in, but which faces a steeper climb?

Meta appears to be in a more challenging position. Developers of immersive apps are eager to expand their audience. If switching to Android XR could mean a 25% user boost for a favored game, it’s an obvious move. In contrast, major flat apps like Spotify and TikTok aren’t likely to see substantial growth by transitioning to Horizon OS, as the potential user increase might not even reach 0.25% compared to their presence on Android at large.

You might think, “Horizon OS is rooted in Android, shouldn’t app porting be straightforward?” Technically, yes. But for vast apps with extensive user bases and constant updates, the real hurdle is ongoing support and maintenance, which is a significant undertaking.

Consequently, Google seems better poised to draw essential immersive apps to Android XR than Meta is at enticing major flat apps to Horizon OS. Without a vital mass of these flat apps, Meta risks its headsets becoming mere gaming consoles rather than versatile computing tools.

And that’s a scenario Meta is keen to avoid. The whole push into XR ten years ago was precisely to stake their claim in the “next computing platform” before Apple’s or Google’s potential dominance.

Even if you don’t see flat apps as crucial to the XR experience, it’s evident that the platform offering both key flat and immersive apps will surpass the one with just one type. Even if Meta consistently delivers superior hardware—20% faster, lighter, cheaper compared to Android XR—it won’t matter in the long haul if core flat apps aren’t available on their platform.

This challenge poses a fundamental risk to Meta’s XR dreams, one that lacks clear, easy fixes.