According to an article from The Information, later last year, in a meeting between Google and Meta Platforms, Google suggested that Meta partner on the Android XR. Android XR is the new software platform Google is developing for virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality headsets.
This partnership could result in Meta contributing to Android XR. The Quest headsets from Meta are already using the open-source version of Android. Meta has long requested more Google apps on its platform beyond just YouTube. This partnership would have resulted in that.
However, according to The Information, Meta executives decided against a partnership but Google made it clear that the door remains open for the partnership.
This report reveals that Meta wanted to partner with Google in the past including using Play Store. However, they did not pursue the idea seriously because Meta wanted to keep the Quest Store as the default store.
Google wants to replicate the Android OEM model for the new form factor in the XR and AR space. That is why the company is working towards partnerships with firms that are developing AR and VR headsets. And according to a report, the company is not working on first-party hardware.
Meanwhile, Meta is skeptical about the deal because they want to own the next-generation platform after losing the mobile race to Apple and Google. Meta does not want to give software control to Google or any other company. Meta wants to position itself as the Android of XR OS.
