Meta’s Chief Technology Officer Andrew ‘Boz’ Bosworth expressed interest in having Discord integration into the Quest in the future, depending on Discord’s willingness. The lack of certain popular services on the Quest platform, such as Spotify, Google Chrome, and TikTok, has been noted. While some services can be accessed through SideQuest or web browsers, the official integration would offer a more streamlined experience, similar to Apple’s App Store.
In a recent Instagram AMA, Bosworth encouraged reaching out to friends and family at Discord to consider integration with Quest. Meta has been relying on specific developer interest to expand its platform, following unsuccessful attempts to partner with Google for the Play Store on its VR headsets. Talks with Google in 2023 did not result in an agreement, leading Meta to focus on attracting developers independently for its XR ecosystem.
Despite Google’s reluctance to bring its mobile apps to Meta’s devices, the tech giant may be looking to compete with the help of Samsung in the XR space. Meanwhile, Meta is exploring new strategies, such as opening its XR OS to third-party OEMs like ASUS, Lenovo, and Xbox. Building a strong developer base is crucial for Meta’s success in the XR market, especially as it aims to compete with Apple’s upcoming Vision Pro.
In summary, Meta continues to pursue partnerships and integrations to enhance the Quest platform, but faces challenges in attracting major services like Discord and Google Play. The company’s focus on expanding its XR ecosystem through collaborations with third-party OEMs and developer support will be key in establishing a competitive position in the market. The success of these efforts will determine Meta’s ability to rival Apple in the XR space and achieve mass adoption of its Horizon operating system.
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https://www.roadtovr.com/meta-quest-discord-support-google-play-needed/