Samsung's Project Moohan XR headset is just an experiment
As with Meta's Orion smart glasses, the AR glasses that Apple is working on, and Google's own experiments in this field, Samsung is preparing ( translated source ) for the future of smartphones. All of these companies are betting on AR smart glasses replacing smartphones in the near future, especially after the advent of modern AI models. Samsung is apparently only releasing Project Moohan to see whether people even want something like this. If there's sufficient interest, then the company will more seriously consider investing in the research of AR smart glasses.There are a lot of factors that will affect consumer demand, however. From the prevalence of immersive content, to the comfort, and the price tag, everything has the potential to turn off a potential customer. At least there shouldn't be a shortage of apps and content, as the headset will use Google's new Android XR operating system.
Navigating Google Maps in Android XR. | Image credit — Google
Samsung's largest reference point for Project Moohan is, naturally, the Apple Vision Pro. Apple's headset failed to sell particularly well, even in the enterprise sector, due to a really high price tag and a lack of practical use cases. Samsung can learn a lot from the Vision Pro for its own headset, like cutting down on redundant tech to keep the price more reasonable. Features like 'EyeSight' — the exterior display on Apple's headset — drove up the cost, and the headset retailed at $3,499. Even the most diehard VR enthusiasts had a hard time stomaching that price.
Meta plans to release a consumer version of the Orion glasses in 2027, and Apple CEO Tim Cook is determined to launch a similar product before it. I fear that, if Project Moohan doesn't get the attention it needs, Samsung will abandon AR glasses.
And if a player as important as Samsung drops out, then others may follow suit and the XR industry will come screeching to a halt.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GSM Arena
10 minutes ago
- GSM Arena
Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold will have some interesting color choices
Over the past few days we've seen the Google Pixel 10, and then the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, portrayed in leaked renders purportedly showing all the colors in which they will be available after the August 20 official announcement. Today, it's time for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold to get the same treatment. Unlike its non-folding siblings, this one will only have two colorways on offer, and they're probably not what you'd expect. Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold in Moonstone (left) and Jade (right) The Pixel 10 Pro Fold will allegedly be available in Moonstone and Jade, colors that the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL will also be offered in - only those phones also get Obsidian (aka black) and Porcelain (white), whereas the Pixel 10 Pro Fold interestingly has neither of the most used hues. Moonstone is a slate blue color with a lighter tone for the glossy frame, and Jade is a soft pistachio green with soft gold accenting on the frame. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold is rumored to come with a slightly larger 6.4" cover display, thanks to smaller bezels and a reworked hinge. It will be powered by the Tensor G5 SoC like the rest of the family, and will sport a 5,015 mAh battery, the largest in a foldable that's officially available in North America. The cell will reportedly support 23W wired and 15W wireless charging. Source
Phone Arena
10 minutes ago
- Phone Arena
Google introduces cool new AI powered features for the Photos app and YouTube Shorts
Announced in a new blog post, Google is adding some new features to Google Photos and YouTube Shorts. Let's start with Google Photos, which will use AI to turn photographs in the Photos app into six-second video clips. This will allow you to turn your still photos into videos. Starting today, the feature, powered by Google's Veo 2 advanced AI video generation model, will create short, fun videos from static images. You'll choose a photo from your photo gallery in Google Photos and pick one of two options available: "Subtle movements" or "I'm feeling lucky." Once the video is created, you can share it with friends, family, and even your boss. Photo to video in Google Photos should be available on your Android or iOS handsets starting today. Turn your photo into anime, comics, or 3D animation. | Image credit-Google Did you notice the temperature drop? That's because Google has more cool features to announce. Remix in Google Photos will be available in the U.S. for both Android and iOS devices and will be available over the next few weeks. This feature allows you to step inside your Google Photos gallery to, once again, choose a photo. This time, you'll be taking that photo and transform it using one of four different styles such as anime, comics, sketches, or 3D animations. Want to know what your pug looks like as a character in a comic book? Now you can find out. The new Google Create tab will show you all of the features available to you in Google Photos in one spot. The Create tab is where you will go to find and use Photo to video, and Remix. The tab will also show you how to create collages, highlight videos, and other cool looks from your photo gallery. The tab, which acts like a hub, will be updated as Google obtains feedback from users. Google will disseminate the new Create tab in the U.S. starting next month. Now you can turn your photos into videos on Android and iOS. | Image credit-Google The aforementioned new AI features for the Google Photos app will include added transparency. Just like images edited using Reimagine in Photos, all videos and photos created using Photo to video and Remix will have an invisible digital watermark from SynthID. Similar to videos created by Gemini, videos created in Photos will have a visual watermark. -Google As Google says, "Your photo library in Google Photos is more than an archive, it's a canvas. We're excited to see how you use these tools to bring your memories to life in new ways." Some of the new tools are coming over to YouTube Shorts, including the ability to transform pictures from your camera roll into videos. Select an image, choose a "creative suggestion," and Photo to video can, according to Google, "add movement to landscape photos, animate pictures of everyday photos, or bring group photos to life." This feature is rolling out now and next week at no cost in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The feature will be available in more regions later this year. Some of these new features are available today for both Android and iOS. | Image credit-Google The new effects available for use with YouTube Shorts can turn your doodles into fun images and turn a selfie into an underwater photograph, or create a pose with a lookalike twin, and more. To create these, go to the Effects icon in the Shorts camera and select AI to choose from the new generative effects. These are powered by Veo 2, and later this summer, Veo 3 will be coming to YouTube Shorts. Google is also introducing AI Playground, which includes generative AI creation tools. There are examples designed to give you the incentive to create. You can create content quickly thanks to pre-filed prompts that help you create images, videos, music, and more in the blink of an eye. SynthID watermarks and clear labels are used to indicate that these creations were generated with AI. To access the AI Playground, tap the create button followed by the sparkle icon in the top-right corner. The feature is available now, as Google says, "for everyone" in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
GSM Arena
40 minutes ago
- GSM Arena
AppleCare One is AppleCare+ for more devices with theft and loss coverage for iPads and Apple Watches
Today Apple has introduced AppleCare One. This is like AppleCare+, but for multiple devices (regardless of what they are). For $19.99 per month, it covers up to three products, and you can add more at any time for $5.99 per month each. Note that any device needs to be less than four years old, and headphones have to be less than one year old, and all devices have to be in good condition. AppleCare One is initially available in the US, starting tomorrow. You'll be able to sign up on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, or at your nearest Apple Store. It includes all the benefits of AppleCare+, just extended to more devices. It lets you add new products or remove some at any time. So you get unlimited repairs for accidents like drops and spills, 24/7 priority support from Apple experts, quick Apple-certified service, and battery coverage. With AppleCare One, theft and loss protection also covers iPads and Apple Watches. If you add, say, an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, you'll be saving $11 per month over enrolling each one into AppleCare+ separately. You also have a much larger enrollment window than AppleCare+'s 60 days after purchase. And when you trade in an enrolled product to Apple, it will automatically be removed from your AppleCare One plan and replaced with the new device. Source
