Facebook is developing its own operating system to reduce the company's dependence on Google Android, according to The Information.
The project is currently led by Microsoft veteran Mark Lucovsky, a co-developer of the Windows NT operating system.
The report said Facebook's Oculus and Portal devices are currently running on modified versions of Android, and according to Ficus Kirkpatrick, one of Facebook 's AR and VR leaders, “it is very likely” that Facebook 's future hardware does not need to rely on Google Software, which will reduce or completely eliminate Google's control over Facebook hardware.
"We really want to make sure that the next generation has our place," said Andrew Bosworth, Facebook's hardware chief. "We don't think we can trust the market or our competitors, so we will do it ourselves."
In addition to Oculus and Portal devices, Facebook is also working on augmented reality glasses. According to Bosworth, these glasses, code-named "Orion", will go on sale as early as 2023, and Apple is expected to launch AR glasses in the same year. Facebook is also developing a brain control interface for its glasses that allows users to control as they see fit.
Facebook hopes that eventually it will be similar to Apple in terms of hardware. In addition to developing its own operating system, The Information also confirmed Bloomberg and the Financial Times earlier this year that Facebook is developing its own custom chip hardware, as well as a voice assistant.
It is worth pointing out that Facebook's last attempt to develop its own operating system was not smooth. The attempt developed a modified version of Android that can run on mobile phones produced by HTC in 2013.
