- We’ve got our first proper look at Samsung’s project Moohan
- MKBHD has also shown us Android XR Fetaures
- Gemini looks like it would be great on scars
Thanks to a video on its YouTube channel, MKBHD, Marques Brownlee has given us our best look yet on Samsung and Google’s VR -Headset -Prototype project Moohan -and Android XR platform as a whole. It does some exciting things but there are some important questions (*cough* Price *cough*) That we still need answered.
Start with hardware and we got to see some key head design details – however, remember that this design of this prototype may not match the consumer version to be launched later this year. As it stands, however, similarities to Apple Vision Pro go beyond the silhouette of the device.
There is no over-head strap, but rather a single Meta Quest Pro-like adjustable strap around the back. Brownlee says this combined with the different shaped face interface means it is comfortable without one (as opposed to Vision Pro).
Like Apple’s headset, the device depends on an external battery pack. A difference here is that you can connect the USB-C cable to either the official battery or any battery pack you choose (although there may be risks if you are using an unofficial package). I expected this subtle design upgrade; It allows you to decide if you want a leaner package or a bulker battery with a much longer battery life, based on your needs.
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When we talk about Meta Quest Pro, Moohan borrows his optional light blockers. These additions allow you to block light for a more immersive VR experience. Alternatively, you can take them off to see more of your actual surroundings – ideal for mixed reality as you have a better connection with the real world.
On this subject, the mixed quality of reality looked solid, though it is hard to say too much about it, as Brownlee seemed to be in a very bright room (an ideal environment for MRI) and which I have seen first hand with Meta Quest 3 headset, The recording of your review cameras is higher quality than what the wearer experiences. So we will have to test the first hand to understand how good it is for mixed reality.
Finally, we learned that Project Moohan lacks your typical VR controllers and instead is only dependent on hand (kinds – more about it in a moment). This could change, but the hand tracking seemed reliable enough. It carefully matches the hand tracking style used by Meta’s Quest headset, which makes you reach out to touch and point a little more than Apple Vision Pro. This should help app creators to port their XR apps from meta -systems to Android XR.
Gemini is made for AR -Glasses
This is a good point to segment in software. Brownlee focuses on the Android XR’s Gemini integrations, which in justice seems neat.
This XR version of Gemini Live is as smart as your smartphone version with many of the same features -you can talk to it, and it can even get inspiration from the real world around you. Brownlee demoed an interesting trick where he held a book to the headset’s cameras and asked it “Can you take me along here?” As Moohan replied “sure it looks like Wadi Rum in Jordan” before opening the Google Maps app on the rough location of where the image was taken (even Rainbolt is unable to escape the AI uprising).
It also comes with a built -in circle to search so that Brownlee can use AI to try to search the web for examples of the shoes he was wearing or of the art on the wall in the room. He also highlighted how Gemini allows you to open apps with your voice, giving a less physical taxation way to interact with XR.
In general, however, I am a little disappointed. Gemini is a fun includes to the device, but I could see that it works much better on glasses compared to a headset-da you will unlikely to walk around with moohan in your daily, as opposed to scars-smart glasses. The second software teases – XR versions of existing Android apps – didn’t turn on my world either.
This is where the Apple Vision Pro fell down. It doesn’t show us much more benefit from Moohan than your regular smartphone and pairs of the basic smart glasses, such as Xreal Air 2s that project your screen in front of you.
That said, it’s still early days. Samsung and Google may still be able to convince XR developers to create exclusive and more meaningful uses to Moohan that your other devices cannot emulate. Obviously, much of this criticism is related to Moohan’s price – which Samsung remains tight lipped. If that changes we will be sure to keep you in the loop.
