Here’s a quick rundown:
- Samsung’s rumored XR headset, likely called Samsung Glasses, won’t be at Galaxy Unpacked.
- Development delays with Google’s Android XR software are a big reason for the hold-up.
- Both Samsung and Google need to win back developer trust after past stumbles in the XR space.
While Apple’s flashy Vision Pro announcement last year spurred Google and Samsung to action, neither company has a competitor ready. We’re approaching Samsung’s annual summer event, Galaxy Unpacked, where new wearables and foldable phones are expected, but the one thing missing will be the Samsung XR headset.
There are whispers that Samsung went back to the drawing board after seeing Apple’s offering. They reportedly wanted to adjust their strategy to compete more directly. However, the XR market is currently in flux, making it difficult for both Samsung and Google to solidify their approach. While Samsung Glasses are still on the horizon, setbacks have pushed back their official unveiling.
The linchpin for Samsung Glasses, or whatever the official name ends up being, is Android XR. This custom version of Android, built specifically for AR and VR by Google, is essentially the XR equivalent of Wear OS for smartwatches. It likely won’t stray far from Meta Horizon OS, the operating system powering the Meta Quest 3 (also built on Android). The key differentiator, however, is that Android XR will be an official fork, whereas Meta Horizon OS resembles Amazon Fire OS, another Android fork that lacks Google services.
This very aspect, which could potentially set Android XR apart, is also causing complications. Development kits haven’t yielded the expected results. Developers are grappling with early versions that are proving buggier and less stable than anticipated. While these issues are typical during initial software development, especially for new platforms, the progress seems slower than many had hoped.
This instability throws a wrench into things considering how innovative Google’s Daydream VR platform felt back in the day. Google’s abandonment of that project likely means they had to rebuild much of the groundwork from scratch, especially considering significant changes within Android itself since Daydream’s existence.
In a previous piece, I discussed how Google lost its credibility in the XR space by abruptly abandoning projects in the early 2020s. It seems they’re trying to win developers back by offering funding to port apps and games to the new Android XR platform. This strategy isn’t uncommon, and it’s crucial for bolstering a fledgling ecosystem. However, developers remain hesitant. Not only were they burned by Google’s past actions, leaving them questioning the platform’s long-term viability, but they also recently witnessed a similar situation with Pico, a competitor to Meta Quest that was quickly abandoned.
For Android XR to succeed, it not only needs stability and functionality upon release, but it also needs to offer a compelling alternative to Apple and Meta’s platforms, enticing consumers to choose theirs. This brings us back to Samsung Glasses. Recent rumors suggest Apple has paused development on the Vision Pro 2 to focus on a more affordable headset. Samsung Glasses were already pegged at roughly a third of the Vision Pro’s price, translating to a potential launch price of around $1,000.
If true, this positions Samsung in a similar price range as a potential budget-friendly Apple Vision Pro. This price parity could benefit everyone by creating a more level playing field for developers. All headsets, including those from Meta, Samsung, and Apple, would likely utilize similar resolution displays and operate on mobile chipsets (unlike the current $3,500 Vision Pro that uses a MacBook chip).
This uniformity would streamline multiplatform development, allowing developers to potentially release their apps and games across all platforms simultaneously. Currently, the biggest hurdle for multiplatform development is the lack of proper motion controller support on Apple Vision Pro, something Meta excels at and Samsung reportedly plans to include.
With so much uncertainty, it’s evident that Samsung isn’t prepared to showcase Samsung Glasses until later this year, at the earliest. Meta’s rumored fall release of a potentially market-disrupting $299 Meta Quest 3s further complicates matters for Samsung and Google. Both companies may need to consider selling hardware at a loss to foster ecosystem growth if they hope to carve out a sustainable position in the XR market.
