Samsung challenges Apple by presenting Galaxy XR with a new AI system
Kyiv • UNN
Samsung is launching Galaxy XR glasses, developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. The headset, running on the new Android XR OS, integrates the Gemini AI assistant.
The South Korean tech manufacturer announced the launch of Galaxy XR glasses, developed in collaboration with Apple's direct competitor, Google. The main attraction of the headset with the new Android XR system is Gemini, an AI-powered assistant.
UNN reports with reference to Expansion and The Verge.
Details
Samsung announced the result of its collaboration with Google – the Galaxy XR glasses, which the South Korean electronics manufacturer previously called Project Moohan. The headset was developed in cooperation with Qualcomm and Google, and is now being launched in the US and South Korea.
The Galaxy XR will be available for $1799, which is approximately half the price of Apple's. It has been revealed that Samsung and Google are also offering an "explorer package" that includes a free year of Google AI Pro, Google Play Pass, and YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV for $1 per month for three months.
It is noted that the device runs on Google's new operating system – Android XR. This involves the launch of a new platform that will be the basis for an ecosystem of other devices, even from different manufacturers.
Galaxy XR - practical overview
So, Samsung Galaxy XR are augmented reality glasses.
At the heart of the Galaxy XR is deep integration with Gemini, meaning the functions include interaction with artificial intelligence. The device is intended to be a direct competitor to Apple.
Galaxy XR hardware. The front screen has a glass panel with several cameras for capturing your surroundings and hand gestures. Inside are micro-OLED displays that support 4K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz. This should ensure smooth scrolling. Samsung promises up to 2.5 hours of battery life.
In the context of comparing Galaxy XR and Vision Pro, it is noted that the materials of the new Samsung device "do not seem as premium as Apple's product." However, there are advantages, because, for example, plastic is easier to clean than fabric.
High-quality images are available inside Samsung's new device. The headset tracks:
- what you are looking at;
- what you are pinching with your fingers;
- what you choose.
Some differences between Galaxy XR and Vision Pro. Samsung's glasses have a Quest-like cursor. This cursor is on the XR menus and elements. The purpose of this element is to make it easier to determine whether the desired element is highlighted. But otherwise, the interface is almost a version of Vision Pro, but with a Google flavor, writes The Verge.
In general, the device understands the user's environment, can see what they see, and also hear what the user hears. The developers hope that the Galaxy XR can respond in a conversational, natural, and human way.
Android XR - new from Google
It is noted that the augmented reality glasses run on Google's new operating system – Android XR. The company promises the launch of a new platform that will be the basis for an ecosystem of other devices, even from different manufacturers.
Android XR is designed to adapt to a wide range of form factors – from headsets to AI-powered glasses.
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The system was developed in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. It is noted that all applications created on the Android platform work on Android XR "right out of the box."
Android XR supports: OpenXR, WebXR, and Unity. It also offers over 50 applications optimized for XR. Among them are products from brands such as: Adobe, Calm, Fox Sports, and Resolution Games.
The company claims that it will be easy to open common applications in augmented reality, such as Google Maps, YouTube, Circle to Search with Google, and Google Photos. And the glasses are also suitable for providing an immersive virtual reality experience. Galaxy XR can also be successfully used in sports competitions and video games.
Recall
In the summer, Apple's ambitious plans to develop an entire family of head-worn devices became known. By 2028, Apple plans to release three updated Vision series headsets and four models of smart glasses that will offer advanced technologies.
The year before last, the US Army accepted the first 20 prototypes of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System 1.2. This is the most advanced version of the situational awareness system