At its Connect 2024 conference, Meta announced that its Quest app store fully supports 2D and spatial apps. This move aims to make it easier for mobile developers to transition their apps to Meta's Horizon OS platform.

Features introduced to support this transition include the Meta Spatial SDK for adding native spatial features to traditional mobile apps, a Meta Spatial Editor for adding panoramas and 3D spatial videos, and support for various 2D app features like resizing, theater mode, spatial audio, background running, and multitasking.

Meta claims this update will allow developers to build for Horizon OS using familiar tools and languages, potentially expanding the app library for Quest headsets. The company also emphasizes its support for web apps and progressive web apps, aiming to provide a more open and diverse app ecosystem than competitors.

Analyst QuickTake: Meta opened its mixed reality operating system to third-party developers in April 2024 . The expansion into 2D apps enables the company to further its goal of establishing a foundational platform for XR devices, akin to how Windows functions for PCs.