Meta has paused its initiative to license its VR operating system to third-party hardware manufacturers, according to reports from Road to VR. The program, unveiled in April 2024, aimed to allow companies like Lenovo and Asus to build headsets using Meta’s Quest OS—renamed Horizon OS at the time—under a licensing model. At the time, Meta said the move would expand consumer choice and grow the ecosystem for developers, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg framing it as a step toward an open, next-generation computing era centered on the metaverse, smart glasses, and headsets. However, Meta now says it is temporarily halting the program to prioritize its own first-party hardware and software development. A company spokesperson, Johanna Peace, told The Verge that the pause reflects a strategic shift: “We have paused the program to focus on building the world-class first-party hardware and software needed to advance the VR market. We’re committed to this for the long term and will revisit opportunities for 3rd-party device partnerships as the category evolves.” This decision comes amid broader changes at Meta as it refocuses its metaverse ambitions. The company recently delayed the launch of its mixed reality glasses, codenamed “Phoenix,” from the second half of 2026 to the first half of 2027. Internal memos reported by Business Insider also indicate that Meta is working on a new Quest headset and is considering cutting up to one-third of its current metaverse budget in the coming year. A Meta spokesperson confirmed the company is shifting some of its investment from the metaverse toward AI-powered glasses and wearable technology, signaling a strategic pivot toward more consumer-focused, AI-integrated hardware. While the third-party licensing program remains on hold, Meta has not ruled out future collaboration with external partners as the VR and wearable markets continue to evolve.