Facebook is using Android for some of its hardware devices, but according to a new report, the company is developing its own OS as a replacement.
Facebook is working on its own operating system with the goal of reducing its reliance on Android. According to The Information (via The Verge), the project is being headed up by Mark Lucovsky, who previously worked at Microsoft and co-authored Windows NT.
Both the Oculus and Portal devices run on a tweaked version of Android, and so by building its own OS, it seems likely that Facebook wants to make sure its not reliant on Google and Android in the future. This way, Facebook could have more control over its future products and wouldn't have to stick with Android if Google makes changes in the future that it doesn't like.
"We really want to make sure the next generation has space for us," said Andrew Bosworth, Facebook's hardware lead. "We don’t think we can trust the marketplace or competitors to ensure that’s the case. And so we’re gonna do it ourselves."
In addition to this new OS, Facebook is working on its own augmented reality glasses that are codenamed "Orion" and could launch as soon as 2023, according to Bosworth. It's said that Facebook is working on a brain control interface for these glasses that would allow the wearer to control the glasses with their mind. Facebook is rumored to be working on its own custom chip hardware, too.