Samsung's Latest Android XR Headset Demonstrates Overlooked Capabilities of Apple's Vision Pro
Everybody seems to be taking cues from Apple's missteps, even tech giants like Samsung. The tech giant is reportedly developing its own VR/AR device, code-named "Project Moohan," alongside AR glasses. A recent video release by Tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee has given us our first in-depth look at this upcoming headset, and it's quite clear who influenced its design.
If you've ever seen or used a Vision Pro or even a Meta Quest 3, you'll likely feel a wave of déjà vu when viewing the Project Moohan footage. The resemblance between the two devices is uncanny, from the design to the features. But Samsung has managed to improve upon some of Apple's designs, such as making the cable to the battery pack simpler and USB-C compatible, and designing the headset to sit more comfortably on your brow.
Similarities extend to the functionality of the devices, with both Project Moohan and Vision Pro featuring hand and eye tracking with AR passthrough, and the ability to move windows around using pinch gestures. Google plans to adapt some of its popular apps, like YouTube, to work on the AndroidXR ecosystem, which will power Project Moohan.
One area where Project Moohan stands out is its use of AI. The headset features a service called Gemini, which offers a version of Google's chatbot for continuous conversation in your VR/AR environment. You can also use the device to search for objects in real life by circling them with your hand and using the vision-capable Circle to Search.
While Apple is also reportedly working on AR glasses, Samsung's Project Moohan and the Vision Pro represent some of the most powerful VR/AR devices available today. We're curious to see how Meta's Orion glasses will compare when they're launched, and whether Samsung will be able to break the ceiling in terms of power and capabilities with its upcoming smart glasses based on Android XR.
Insight
Google's collaboration with Samsung is expected to provide Project Moohan with advanced AI integration and a dedicated XR platform, potentially making it a stronger competitor to Apple's Vision Pro. The Android XR platform promises to address wearability and content issues that have plagued previous XR devices, while the AI integration provides users with advanced AI-powered features. Google's Android XR platform could also make it easier for developers to create and publish apps for Project Moohan, ultimately expanding its ecosystem and user experience.
The anticipated AI integration and dedicated XR platform from Google could make Samsung's Project Moohan a formidable competitor in the VR/AR market, challenging Apple's Vision Pro. The future of XR devices appears to be crossing technological boundaries, as demonstrated by Samsung's collaborative approach with Google.
As we move forward, the tech industry will undoubtedly be shaped by these advancements in AI and XR technology, with Samsung's Project Moohan and similar devices playing significant roles in shaping the future of user experiences.
