Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm Team Up on XR Platform and Smartglasses: Everything We Know So Far
Michael Torneau, SmartGlassesOn
Published 20:38, Sun November 10, 2024
In early 2023, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm announced their joint efforts to create an “XR platform” based on Android. This initiative has sparked interest in a potential high-end mixed reality headset, though specific details remain scarce. The project marks a significant step in the XR (Extended Reality) landscape, positioning the Android platform to support immersive experiences that could rival leading XR solutions.
Samsung and Google’s Smartglasses: A Competing Vision
Alongside the XR platform, Samsung and Google are reportedly collaborating on a pair of smartglasses intended to compete directly with Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses. According to sources from The Information, Google pitched the smartglasses concept to Samsung, proposing that Samsung would handle manufacturing and marketing, while Google would supply its advanced AI technologies to power the glasses.
Inside the Prototypes: ‘Betty,’ ‘Barry,’ and ‘Mary’
Google has developed several smartglasses prototypes to attract partners like Samsung. These prototypes, including one named ‘Betty,’ feature a monocular display, similar to the discontinued Google Glass. Two other prototypes, ‘Barry’ and ‘Mary,’ are designed with stereo displays, offering more visual depth and interaction possibilities. This feature is a clear contrast to Meta’s Ray-Ban smartglasses, which lack any display and rely on voice commands and touch for functionalities like music playback, video recording, and AI-assisted searches.
The Shift Towards Lightweight Smartglasses
Google and Samsung appear to be focusing on lighter, more wearable smartglasses rather than fully immersive AR. During meetings earlier this year, key Google figures, including Juston Payne (director of product management) and Shahram Izadi (vice president of AR), emphasized that a lightweight design would be more practical for users. Unlike full AR glasses with a wide field of view and immersive 3D elements, these smartglasses would offer a smaller display, presenting basic information such as text and directions.
What’s the Difference? Smartglasses vs. Full AR Glasses
Smartglasses and full AR glasses differ in both display capabilities and user experience. While smartglasses are typically limited to showing simple overlays like notifications, text, or navigation, full AR glasses are designed for more immersive applications. AR glasses offer a large field of view, displaying interactive 3D objects and anchoring 2D content within the user’s real-world environment. This primer on smartglasses versus AR technology can help users understand these differences as new products emerge.
What’s Next? The Road to Unveiling
Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm confirmed at Samsung Unpacked in July that their XR platform will launch by the end of 2024, which could include details on upcoming hardware like the new XR headset and smartglasses. This unveiling will offer further insights into their vision for the future of XR and wearable technology. Keep an eye on our updates as we continue to track this exciting development in wearable tech.