Key Points:
- Developer Release in October 2024: Samsung’s highly anticipated Android XR headset, codenamed “Moohan,” is set for a developer release in October 2024.
- Consumer Launch in March 2025: Following the developer release, the consumer version of the Moohan is expected to hit the market in March 2025.
- Focus on Developer Adoption: Samsung might prioritize developer outreach in the fall, potentially delaying a public announcement until later.
Samsung recently teased its upcoming foray into the XR (Extended Reality) market with the promise of a new XR platform “coming this year.” New details from Business Insider shed light on the timeline for this much-awaited Android XR headset.
According to the report, Samsung’s “Moohan” headset, built in collaboration with Qualcomm, will see a developer release in October 2024. This earlier rollout aims to provide developers with ample time to optimize their apps for the platform before the consumer launch scheduled for March 2025.
Intriguingly, the report suggests Samsung might prioritize developer adoption over an immediate public announcement. This strategy could involve a focus on the Android XR platform in the fall, potentially delaying the official unveiling of the Moohan hardware itself. This approach would allow developers to delve into the software and prepare their creations for the consumer launch in March.
The report further reveals that Moohan’s launch was originally planned for the first quarter of 2024, likely to compete with the February release of Apple’s Vision Pro. However, internal concerns about Moohan’s user experience led to multiple delays. Samsung reportedly wanted to ensure the headset was truly impressive before releasing it to the public.
Looking beyond Moohan, the report hints at a potential future collaboration between Samsung and Google in the XR space. According to sources, Samsung might be the first to develop glasses equipped with Google’s AR software. This aligns with Google’s decision to step back from producing its own consumer XR hardware, as evidenced by the disbanding of its AR hardware team in January 2023. This shift allows Google to focus on software development and collaboration with partners like Samsung, potentially leading to a more unified and competitive Android XR ecosystem.
With a developer release date set for October 2024, the wait for Samsung’s Moohan headset seems to be nearing its end. This news signifies a significant development in the XR landscape, particularly with Google’s potential involvement through software partnerships. As the launch date approaches, we can expect further details about Moohan’s capabilities and its potential impact on the future of XR technology.
