By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
Microsoft and Meta Platforms have formed a licensing partnership for the metaverse that focuses on virtual productivity and security.
Meta Platforms Inc, formerly Facebook Inc, is a global provider of social networking, advertising, electronic devices, and business solutions.
Microsoft and Meta’s licensing partnership will expand on the security and experience of the metaverse in several ways.
One of the expansions is bringing the Mesh for Microsoft Teams virtual platform to Meta Quest VR devices.
The Mesh for Teams platform is a mixed-reality overlay that allows users to collaborate in virtual spaces, work with 3D content, and access the Teams app from their smartphones, laptops, mixed-reality glasses and VR headsets.
Mesh for Teams with Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2 devices will enable people to connect and collaborate in a realistic virtual environment.
Another aspect of the collaboration will make Microsoft 365 apps available on licensed Meta Quest devices. This will enable consumers to interact with content from licensed Microsoft productivity apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint using their Meta Quest VR devices.
In the future, Meta Quest devices will also gain the ability to stream a Windows Cloud PC through Windows 365 which will allow access to personalized apps, content and settings.
Another crucial aspect of the partnership enables Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory applications to support Meta Quest Pro and Meta Quest 2 devices.
Azure AD is an identity service that provides single sign-on, multifactor authentication, and conditional access to guard against cybersecurity threats. Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based management tool for mobile devices that provides unified endpoint management of equipment to protect corporate data.
Integrating these systems into Meta VR devices will give the devices the same security and management options that are available on PCs and mobile devices through these programs.
Microsoft and Meta are also exploring ways to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to the Meta Quest Store. This will allow gamers to stream hundreds of high-quality Xbox games to phones, tablets, PCs, select smart TVs, and the Meta Quest platform.
According to Work Trend Index data, the metaverse will play a crucial role in providing work-oriented services in the future.