Latest news with #ProjectAura
South China Morning Post
06-07-2025
- South China Morning Post
Meet the Chinese start-up behind Google's Android XR-powered augmented reality glasses
Xreal, the Chinese augmented reality start-up behind Google's first Android XR-powered augmented reality (AR) glasses, is gearing up for the mass-market release of its lightweight eyewear as early as the first quarter of 2026, its co-founder said. Code-named Project Aura, the product was first announced at Google's annual I/O developer conference in May. Rivalling offerings from Apple and Meta Platforms, Google adopted a strategy from its smartphone playbook: providing the operating system – Android XR – while collaborating with hardware makers. Project Aura is Google's second XR initiative, following Moohan, a collaboration with Samsung Electronics on a virtual reality headset similar to Apple's Vision Pro. Aura's field of view (FoV) – the visible area seen through the glasses – exceeds 70 degrees, 'the largest screen we have ever made', according to a statement from Xreal at the Augmented World Expo in June. The device will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset alongside Xreal's own XR-optimised X1S chip. Wu Kejian, Xreal's co-founder, chief scientist and head of algorithms. Photo: Handout 'This achievement is thanks to Xreal's extensive experience in optical engineering, enabling thinner lenses with broader fields of view,' Wu Kejian, the company's co-founder, chief scientist and head of algorithms, said in an interview with the South China Morning Post.
Tom's Guide
12-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Xreal's Project Aura smart glasses are closer to Meta's Project Orion than I thought - and the specs sound wild
Xreal is having quite the summer kickoff after revealing its Project Aura Android XR smart glasses during Google I/O 2025. Xreal already makes some of the best smart glasses, and it sounds like Project Aura will be massive upgrade. The company was a keynote speaker during Augmented World Expo 2025 in Long Beach, California to share a few more details about the new glasses. There's plenty we don't know. But we do know that Xreal's Android XR specs will feature a 70 degree field of view, the largest field of view in any smart glasses. For comparison, the Xreal One and One Pro which launch on July 1 feature 57 degree FOVs, currently the widest field we've seen. Those extra 13 degrees are important, it's not the 110 FOV in the Meta Quest 3, but it will still provide a large display, hopefully with peripheral vision feeling less constrained. From speaking with Xreal's head of public relations, Ralph Jodice, and Qualcomm's VP of Product Management, Said Bakadir, we're able to confirm some details and make some educated guesses. From our talk with Jodice and what Xreal has announced between Google I/O and AWE 2025, we know that Project Aura will feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip in a connected compute device. Xreal has confirmed that the glasses will run a souped up X1S custom silicon in the glasses. If you've read our Xreal One review, you'll have already seen what spatial capabilities are in the X1 chip, so that extra S is surely meant for additional depth of field anchoring features for those AR user features of Android XR. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. And on top of that, from speaking with Bakadir, I'm guessing we'll see a secondary Snapdragon XR chip driving a lot of the compute requirements of Android XR from the puck. The recently-announced Snapdragon AR1+ chip is good for on-device AI and simple local tasks, but for the fully-fleshed experience, you need something like an XR2 you find in the Meta Quest 3 to make it happen. We were also told that Aura will feature front facing sensors for gesture controls and MR experiences including a built-in camera, which you can see in the teaser image above. We got a hint at potential features with a spatial computing demo featuring the Xreal Air 2 Ultra during AWE 2025, where we played with pinch gesture controls on demos featuring an AI image generator, an NFL game recap with real time player stats and a photo/video gallery loader. It worked decently but also felt like a work in progress. Still, it points to the future of media control with smart glasses from Xreal. As an Android XR device, we know it will be "deeply integrated" with Gemini. One place to look for hints at the future of Project Aura is Samsung's Project Moohan headset, which has been equally as mum on details despite being known of for longer. We went hands on with Moohan during Google I/O 2025, and walked away impressed with both the headset and Android XR. "What's in Moohan can come to Project Aura," Jodice told me, with some shifting for the different form factors, of course. "They are the Android XR experiences," he continued. As we learn more about both Android XR devices, we should see how their developments are similar and different. For now, we don't have release dates or prices, but both devices are in the works. If you're curious about Xreal, you can pick up the Xreal One Pro for $649 starting July 1, or you can preorder it now for $599.
Android Authority
11-06-2025
- Android Authority
Your phone won't be powering Xreal's upcoming Android XR glasses
TL;DR Xreal's Android XR glasses will come with a puck-like processing device. The puck will feature an unspecified Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. The glasses will have the largest screen the company has ever made. There's been plenty of talk about Google, Apple, and Meta all working on AR glasses, but they aren't the only players in the game. Xreal is currently working on its own pair of AR glasses, known as Project Aura. Other than the fact that they'll run on Android XR, not much is known about the device yet. However, Xreal shared a few new details this week. The Xreal team made an appearance at Augmented World Expo 2025 on Tuesday. As reported by Gizmodo, the company didn't release any new images or offer any demos, but it did reveal that your phone won't be able to handle the kind of processing Aura demands. Instead of using a phone as a computing device, Aura will use a separate, tethered, puck-like device for its computational needs. This puck-like device, small enough to fit in your pocket, will house an unspecified Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. It's unclear if Xreal plans to use the same SoC that's heading to Samsung's Project Moohan — the Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2. It's also said that this puck will be detachable, in case you want to store the glasses and the puck separately. While a Snapdragon processor will power the puck, the glasses will have their own chip. This processor is said to be a modified version of the X1 chip found in the Xreal One glasses, called X1S. It was also confirmed that the glasses will have front-facing sensors, similar to the Meta Quest 3. Xreal also recently updated its website to add that Aura will have a 70-degree field of view (FOV). The website claims this will be the largest screen the company has made to date. To accomplish this, the team is using a 'flat prism lens' that features a triangular-shaped pane. Although this pane of glass is 40% smaller than the glass in its older devices, it enables a wider FOV on the horizontal axis. Considering the heavy processing demand, it wouldn't be a surprise if Aura ends up being a pretty power-hungry device. Unfortunately, Xreal didn't offer any details when asked about battery life. It appears the company also dodged questions about the price and release date. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice.
Gizmodo
10-06-2025
- Gizmodo
Your Phone Won't Be Enough to Power the First Real Pair of Android XR Glasses
The first pair of commercial augmented reality glasses to sport Google's newfangled Android XR aren't merely a wearable computer you can slip on and off with ease. Xreal's Project Aura glasses still aren't available, but the bare details about the device's specs offer a better idea of what the first pair of true AR glasses may look like—when and if you can actually buy them. While we all hoped we could simply tether our AR glasses to an Android device, you can expect that today's phones won't be enough to handle all the 3D and AI goodness packed inside. At Augmented World Expo (AWE) on Tuesday, Xreal revealed a few scant details about its device that was already lacking much in the way of specifics. The company isn't showing off any more images of the device, nor is it offering regular folk the chance to try it. Instead, the AR glasses maker finally revealed that Aura won't be processing data on the glasses itself. It will instead use a separate, tethered, puck-like device that sits in your pocket. Like Xreal's other products, such as its recent One Pro, the glasses have the in-built wire, though you'll be able to disconnect from the processing device if you want to store the glasses and puck separately. Additionally, Xreal finally offered some insight into what's powering its new device. Aura is working with two chipsets, one for the glasses and another for the compute device. The glasses frame will house a modified version of the X1 chip found in the Xreal One glasses, called X1S. The company has claimed it's a more powerful processor than the one found in the company's streaming glasses, but even that's not enough for its 'optical-see-through' device. The puck will house a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. The company didn't specify if it's the same Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 that's powering the only other fully revealed Android XR device, Samsung's Project Moohan. Simply put, your phone isn't built for handling the same tasks, according to Xreal. Meta's Project Orion was the first AR prototype device announced so far that requires a similar 'compute puck.' The need for an extra processing puck leaves me questioning whether these devices will have the battery capacity necessary for heavy use for more than a few hours. Xreal didn't offer details about battery life, though at least it confirmed the glasses will have front-facing sensors with added hand tracking, akin to the Meta Quest 3 and Apple Vision Pro. Xreal offered more about the displays it's using in Aura. The glasses sport a new flat prism lens, rather than the larger 'birdbath' lenses of older devices. This 'flat prism' is a triangular-shaped pane of glass that's around 44% smaller than before, yet it should offer a larger field of view (FOV) of up to 70 degrees. That's a relatively wide FOV for a pair of AR glasses, far more than the 57-degree FOV of the Xreal One Pro, and it should offer something much closer to the experience of wearing a full VR headset, at least on the horizontal axis. These glasses are built with many of the same apps as Project Moohan in mind. We've only seen a few short demos with Samsung's XR device and how it works in concert with Google's Gemini AI. Moohan should be able to operate most Android apps, but it can also add 3D functionality to apps like Google Maps. Gizmodo had the opportunity to try a different pair of Android XR glasses at last month's Google I/O, though that truncated demo paled in comparison to the navigation and memory capabilities Google has previously shown to the public. Xreal hasn't offered any indication of a release date or price, but we can only assume it will be a while, and it will be very expensive. That processor will be pricey; reports suggest Moohan also will be a costly device. Aura's wired connection means you'll never truly be inconspicuous wearing the glasses unless you somehow try to finagle the wire to run down the inside of your shirt. A pair of $300 Ray-Ban Meta or similar smart glasses will still be far slimmer without the need for wired connections. Those devices aren't exactly cheap, but we'll have to see if consumers are truly ready for a device that costs closer to $1,000 just for the sake of having a tiny heads-up display on their spectacles.
Tom's Guide
03-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Android XR: Everything you need to know
Android XR is Google's new AI-powered platform for powering a new wave of mixed reality headsets and smart glasses. The mixed reality platform has had a slow rollout so far, but we expect the first devices this year. There aren't any devices powered by Android XR for sale yet, though Samsung is slated to be the first manufacturer out of the gate with its Project Moohan headset at some point in 2025. A new pair of smart glasses is also on the way from Xreal called Project Aura. Smart glasses and headsets are going to be a significant part of Google's future product lineup. Google will also fully integrate Gemini, its homegrown artificial intelligence, into this family of immersive devices. The Apple Vision Pro and visionOS should soon face stiff competition. So what is Android XR, and how will it shape the next generation of AI-powered headsets and smart glasses? Here's what you need to know about Google's extended reality platform and when devices will be available. Android XR is Google's new operating system for extended reality devices. It's intended for use with virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (XR) headsets, as well as smart glasses. Android XR is part of the Android platform, which extends beyond smartphones to tablets, wearables, car dashboards and TVs. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Android XR enables developers and device makers to utilize tools such as ARCode, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity and OpenXR to create specialized apps, games and other experiences within a development environment similar to the rest of the ecosystem. Google is collaborating on the framework with key manufacturing players Samsung and Qualcomm. Google has developed versions of its suite of apps for use on the XR platform. They include favorites like Google Photos, Google Maps, Chrome, and YouTube. That's just the start of the Google-led experiences that will be available at launch. Extended reality is an umbrella term encompassing an immersive experience combining physical and digital components. The physical component is something you wear on your head or face, while the digital part refers to something like the heads-up display on a pair of smart glasses. Android XR is not Google Glass, despite Glass being the predecessor. While it is an evolution of the initial platform launched in 2013, Android XR is an extension of the broader Android platform. Its existence should help expand Android's reach beyond phones, tablets, cars and TVs. Android XR shares many similarities with Apple's visionOS on the Vision Pro, as well as Meta's extended reality offerings. Meta calls its software Horizon OS, which powers the Quest 3 and Quest 3S headsets. Android XR offers two main experiences out of the gate. The first is in the form of a visor-like headset that goes over the head. Samsung's Project Moohan is an example of that. The device uses outward-facing cameras and sensors to map the environment and projects it inward, allowing you to walk around. The headset then projects a desktop-like environment that spans the length of the headset. Place your hand in view, and Android XR will recognize it as input. Pinch and grab the various translucent windows or layer them on top of one another. You can even click out of them like on the desktop. Or, use Gemini to summon a fully immersive video experience using spatial audio. Android XR on a pair of smart glasses is a different experience. The demonstration at Google I/O 2025 showed a pair of thick, wire-frame glasses with discreet buttons on either side and a touchpad. Once the smart glasses are on, a heads-up display (HUD) is visible, positioned off to the side. Unlike Android XR on the headset, there is no desktop or main home screen. There's also no physical input or need to extend your hands out front to control anything. Instead, menu screens and information pop in as needed and only hover when active. For instance, while in navigation mode, Google Maps will display arrows pointing in the direction to walk or ride. Android XR also lets you summon Gemini Live, particularly on smart glasses. Most interaction is conducted through voice commands. You can ask Gemini contextual questions and prompt it to provide information on what you're looking at. Samsung is the first name you'll likely associate with Android XR since it was the first to be mentioned alongside Google's announcement that it would essentially 're-enter' the extended reality realm. Right now, we're waiting on Samsung's Project Moohan to make its debut (and reveal its actual name). Samsung teased in a recent earnings call that it would 'explore new products such as XR' in the second half of 2025. Xreal is another major player in the Android XR space. The company announced its Project Aura headset would be the second device launched with Android XR and that it would reveal more details at Augmented World Expo (AWE) in June 2025, with a potential product launch for later this year. That would put it around the same timeline as Samsung's headset. Other device makers like Lynx and Sony have also been mentioned as partners in the Android XR push. Qualcomm makes the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 silicon, made especially for this particular product category. For smart glasses, Google is working on an in-house pair. Although there's a reference device, there's nothing available for consumers quite yet. Eyewear brands like Gentle Monster and Warby Parker have been tapped by Google to develop stylish smart glasses with Android XR, though there's no timeline available there. The first Android XR devices should be available in the second half of 2025. Based on what Samsung and Xreal have mentioned in earnings calls and press releases, they should be among the first to roll out Android XR-based products. The overall cost of Android XR headsets and smart glasses has yet to be determined. Samsung and Xreal will be the companies to set the standard pricing for the headset and glasses, respectively. Any Android XR smart glasses would have to be priced on par with the Ray-Ban Metas, which start at $300. Snap, the company behind the social media app Snapchat, has had its foray into the smart glasses space with Spectacles. The company is still refining its entry into the extended reality space. It's unclear if it would attempt to use Android XR in its product lineup. Meta has established its presence in the headset space with the Quest 3 and Quest 3S, but we're still awaiting the release of Orion AI Glasses. These are Meta's next-generation smart glasses. Like the Ray-Ban Metas, they're designed after a pair of Ray-Ban wireframes. They also have a built-in camera and open-ear audio, but the main feature is the heads-up display you can interact with, similar to the Quest headsets. Meta hasn't revealed when the Orion AI Glasses will be available. The Apple Vision Pro is the first-generation version of the company's foray into extended reality. With a starting price of $3,500, it's a pricey way to enter Apple's spatial computing ecosystem. The device boasts a similar eye and hand-tracking interface to Project Moohan. The Vision Pro also works within Apple's ecosystem of devices and can tether to the MacBook. But one of its biggest caveats is its high price. It's also quite heavy to wear. There have been reports that Apple is working on a more affordable version of the Vision Pro and a second-generation that's lighter for 2026. The company also has sights set on Apple glasses.
