Samsung's Augmented Reality Headsets Operate on Intellectually-Focused 'Android XR' Operating System
Google and Samsung are once more activating their Wonder Twins powers, this time in the form of a fresh VR and AR platform called "Android XR." The duo unveiled plans for upcoming headsets and glasses that are set to hit the market soon. The new hardware will boast a UI that will seamlessly integrate with Google's Gemini AI model, offering features beyond mere gestures.
If Google and Samsung are diving headfirst into the VR realm, they're doing so with cautious steps. The primary device set to utilize this Android XR technology hasn't hit the market yet. Samsung refers to it as "Project Moohan," drawing inspiration from the Korean term for "infinity." As per the image, Samsung's initial XR headset sports a more compact design, devoid of many obvious AR sensors found in rivals like the Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S, or Apple Vision Pro.
Moohan falls under the AR-dominant category, functioning similarly to the Vision Pro. Users can select apps by pinching, which then appear in oversized windows within an augmented reality setting. Samsung teased its XR plans last month but didn't provide many specifics about its forthcoming devices. Samsung confirmed that its headsets and glasses will boast internal displays and passthrough capabilities. The most striking difference between these goggles and glasses on the market lies in their AI-centric approach. Samsung claims users can control it using voice commands, much like the Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses. The device is likely to include eye and hand tracking, but Samsung emphasizes users should be able to use "natural conversation" to access the device or any of your apps.
© Gif: Samsung
Android XR is designed to support virtual reality, augmented reality, and mixed reality features alongside popular Android apps such as Google Maps or YouTube. Samsung showcased a video of this Android XR platform, where users click on a YouTube VR video set in Florence, Italy. This feature is also available on the Meta Quest via the YouTube app, albeit with some glitches.
This week, Google unveiled its Gemini 2.0 model. The Android creator stated the primary goal of this new model is to facilitate AI agents--essentially AI that can manage your device on your behalf. This is the core idea behind Android XR as well. In a statement, Google's Android president, Sameer Samat, explained that Android XR's multimodal AI will "allow for natural and intuitive ways" to interact with these devices.
Google and Samsung seem to be indicating their support for AR glasses, eventually replacing the phone as the preferred tech gadget. Meta is actively developing Orion true AR glasses. Apple, too, is preparing to enter the smart glasses market. Conversely, Google retired its hold in the AR glasses sector following the demise of Google Glass. Now, it's content to let Samsung take charge while it works on refining its new Android ecosystem. Similar to Android on mobile, Google anticipates more companies to join the bandwagon and offer comparable hardware.
The future of tech is looking bright with Google and Samsung's focus on AR and VR technology. Their ongoing collaboration on the Android XR platform is set to revolutionize how we interact with digital content, potentially making traditional devices like smartphones obsolete.
Samsung's Project Moohan, a key component of the Android XR platform, is expected to challenge competitors like Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro with its innovative AI-centric approach and natural conversation controls.
