In the world of technology, two major announcements took place last week. Samsung held its Unpacked event on July 12, 2024, where they unveiled several new products including the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch Ultra, next-generation Galaxy Z line devices, and hinted at an upcoming XR headset collaboration with Google and Qualcomm. Meanwhile, Google's SVP of Platforms and Devices Rick Osterloh confirmed that Samsung's XR platform is coming this year during the same event.
According to various reports, Samsung has been working on its XR headset in partnership with Google for some time now. The device was originally set to launch earlier in 2023 but has since been delayed until March 2025. A developer version of the headset is expected to be released in October 2023.
Google's involvement includes handling the system software using Android XR and providing the chipset, Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2. Samsung has also raised expectations for its project due to Apple Vision Pro's impressive specs, causing delays in the launch timeline.
However, Google's AR/VR teams have faced a significant exodus of employees following layoffs and reshuffles. Some key employees have left to work on Meta's AR glasses project. Despite this, Google has pitched Android XR to other hardware makers but no reports of acceptance yet.
Meta, on the other hand, is actively courting hardware partners with its AR glasses project. Recently, ASUS and Lenovo have joined the list of partners working on Meta's AR glasses.
Samsung's XR platform is expected to bring next-generation experiences across Galaxy products from smartphones and wearables to future technologies. The collaboration between Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm aims to create a new era in mobile computing.
Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting developments in the tech industry.