• Android XR comes out swinging with our first look at Samsung Proj

    From TechnologyDaily@1337:1/100 to All on Tue Jan 28 17:15:07 2025
    Android XR comes out swinging with our first look at Samsung Project Moohan, but the VR headset just makes me want AR glasses more

    Date:
    Tue, 28 Jan 2025 17:08:24 +0000

    Description:
    Android XR claims some easy AI and battery wins.

    FULL STORY ======================================================================We've got our first proper look at Samsung's Project Moohan MKBHD has shown us Android XR fetaures too Gemini looks like it would be awesome on AR glasses

    Thanks to a video on his YouTube channel, MKBHD , Marques Brownlee has given us our best look yet at Samsung and Googles VR headset prototype Project Moohan and the Android XR platform as a whole. It does some exciting stuff, but theres some important questions (* cough* price * cough* ) that we still need answered.

    Starting with the hardware, and we got to see some key headset design details
    though bear in mind that this design of this prototype might not match that of the consumer version set to launch later this year. As it stands, though, similarities with the Apple Vision Pro go beyond the devices silhouette.

    Theres no over-the-head strap, but rather a single Meta Quest Pro -like adjustable strap round the back. Brownlee says that this, combined with the differently shaped facial interface, means that it's comfortable without one (unlike the Vision Pro).

    Just like Apples headset, the device relies on an external battery pack. One difference here is you can connect the USB-C cable into either the official battery or any battery pack you choose (although there may be risks if you
    use an unofficial pack). I was expecting this subtle design upgrade; it
    allows you to decide if you want a sleeker pack or a bulkier battery with a much longer battery life, based on your needs.

    Speaking of the Meta Quest Pro, Moohan borrows its optional light blockers. These add-ons allow you to block out light for a more immersive VR
    experience. Alternatively, you can take them off to see more of your actual surroundings ideal for mixed reality, as you have a better connection with the real world.

    On that topic, the mixed reality quality looked solid, though its hard to say too much on it as Brownlee appeared to be in a very bright room (an ideal environment for MR) and as Ive seen first-hand with the Meta Quest 3 headsets , the recording of your passthrough cameras is higher quality than what the wearer experiences. So well have to test it first hand to understand how good it is for mixed reality.

    Lastly, we learnt Project Moohan lacks your typical VR controllers and
    instead relies solely on hand tracking (sort of more on that in a moment). This could change, but the hand tracking seemed reliable enough. It closely matches the hand tracking style used by Metas Quest headsets, which has you reach out to touch and point a little more than the Apple Vision Pro. This should help app creators port their XR apps from Meta systems to Android XR. Meta could face some competition (Image credit: Meta ) Gemini is made for AR glasses

    This is a good point to segue into software. Brownlee focuses on Android XRs Gemini integrations, which in fairness seem neat.

    This XR version of Gemini Live is just as smart as your smartphone version, with many of the same features you can talk to it, and it can even take inspiration from the real world around you. Brownlee demoed one interesting trick, where he held up a book to the headsets cameras and asked it Can you take me to here? To which Moohan responded Sure, that looks like Wadi Rum in Jordan before opening up the Google Maps app at the rough location of where the picture was taken (even Rainbolt isnt able to escape the AI uprising).

    It also comes with in-built circle to search, allowing Brownlee to use the AI to try and search the web for examples of the shoes he was wearing or of the art on the wall in the room. He also highlighted how Gemini allows you to
    open up apps with your voice, which makes for a less physically taxing way to interact with XR.

    Overall, though, Im a little disappointed. Gemini is a fun include for the device, but I could see it working a lot better on glasses compared to a headset as youre unlikely to be walking around with Moohan on in your day-to-day, unlike AR smart glasses. The other software teases XR versions
    of existing Android apps didnt light my world on fire either. Android XR smart glasses would be fantastic with Gemini (Image credit: Meta)

    This is where the Apple Vision pro fell down. Its not showing us much more utility from Moohan than your regular smartphone and pair of the basic smart glasses such as the Xreal Air 2 s, which project your screen in front of you.

    That said, it's still early days. Samsung and Google might still be able to convince XR developers to create exclusive and more meaningful uses for
    Moohan that your other devices cant mimic. Obviously a lot of this critique hinges on Moohans price which Samsung is remaining tight lipped on. If that changes, well be sure to keep you in the loop. You might also like TCL has 3 new smart glasses which are all in the running for the best of 2025 already This haptic vest might be my new favorite Meta Quest 3 accessory Asus Tarius VR headset could use the Meta Quest 3s best feature to defeat it



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    Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/virtual-reality-augmented-reality/android- xr-comes-out-swinging-with-our-first-look-at-samsung-project-moohan-but-the-vr -headset-just-makes-me-want-ar-glasses-more


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