Highlights

• Google and Samsung are developing Android XR for mixed-reality headsets.
• The first device codenamed Project Moohan will launch next year.
• Google and Samsung are also working on smart glasses with features like real-time navigation and translation, powered by Gemini AI.

Caption – Google gets into Spatial Computing with Android XR. (Image credit – Google/Samsung)

Google and Samsung are getting into spatial computing with the just announced Android XR for mixed-reality headsets. The platform has been designed based on Google’s existing Android ecosystem to bring immersive experiences to headsets and smart glasses.

Android XR is a custom version of Android tailored for spatial computing. It’s built to support a wide range of devices, from mixed-reality headsets to smart glasses. Many existing Android apps will work seamlessly on the platform, ensuring a broad ecosystem from the start.

At the heart of Android XR is Google’s Gemini AI, enabling natural, multimodal interactions. Users can control devices with voice commands, hand gestures and contextual conversations, creating a more intuitive computing experience.

Popular Google apps like YouTube, Maps, Chrome, and Google TV will be redesigned for spatial use, offering immersive features straight out of the box.

Speaking about XR, Won-Joon Choi, EVP and Head of R&D, Mobile eXperience Business, said,

XR has rapidly evolved from a distant promise to a tangible reality. We believe it has the potential to unlock new, meaningful ways to interact with the world, resonating with everyday lives and transcending physical boundaries. We are excited to collaborate with Google to reshape the future of XR, starting with Project Moohan.
Commenting about Android XR, Sameer Samat, President of Android Ecosystem at Google, said,

We are at a critical turning point for XR, where advancements in multimodal AI enable natural and intuitive ways to integrate technology into everyday life. We’re excited to partner with Samsung to build a new ecosystem with Android XR, transforming computing for everyone on next-generation devices like headsets, glasses, and beyond.

Project Moohan Will Be The First Device

The first Android XR device codenamed Project Moohan is set to launch next year. The name Moohan means infinity in Korean and it reflects Samsung’s vision for limitless immersive experiences for the users.

Project Moohan is currently in the prototype stage. It will reportedly feature advanced displays with passthrough capabilities and Qualcomm-powered hardware. It will also leverage Samsung’s Galaxy AI alongside Gemini for smarter interactions.

Beyond headsets, Google and Samsung are working on smart glasses designed for everyday use. These glasses promise will be powered by Gemini AI. It will offer features like real-time navigation, translation and contextual information projected directly into the wearer’s field of view. Prototypes are already being tested by select users hinting at an ambitious expansion into wearable computing.

This isn’t Google or Samsung’s first foray into virtual and augmented reality. Google previously experimented with Google Glass, Daydream and Project Tango, while Samsung launched the Gear VR in collaboration with its smartphones. However, these earlier efforts failed to gain significant traction.

With Apple’s Vision Pro reigniting interest in spatial computing, the competition is heating up. The collaboration between Google and Samsung, backed by Android XR and advanced AI, could make this battle for the mixed-reality space one to watch.

FAQs

Q1. What is Android XR and what is its purpose?

Answer. Android XR is a custom version of Android tailored for spatial computing, designed to support mixed-reality headsets and smart glasses, integrating AI to bring immersive experiences.

Q2. What is Project Moohan and when will it launch?

Answer. Project Moohan is the first Android XR device, set to launch next year. It features cutting-edge displays, passthrough capabilities and Qualcomm-powered hardware.

Q3. What features are Google and Samsung developing for their smart glasses?

Answer. Google and Samsung’s smart glasses will offer features like real-time navigation, translation, and contextual information projected directly into the wearer’s field of view, powered by Gemini AI.

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