Summary
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On October 21, Worlds Wide Open introduces Project Moohan, Samsung's first headset powered by Android XR.
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Built in collaboration with Google and Qualcomm, Android XR is optimized for artificial intelligence and supports standalone AR/VR devices.
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Details are kept secret; reserve to receive a $100 credit – not a phone, it's a new category of headsets.
I know we've probably had too many Samsung events. But there are never enough of them. And by the looks of it, we're getting another one this year—and for a change, it's not for phones, laptops, or headphones.
Samsung has officially announced its next major launch event called “Worlds Wide Open”, which is scheduled to be livestreamed on Tuesday, October 21st at 10:00 pm ET. For a change, it doesn't look like it's called Unpacked, and that's probably because we don't have a phone or tablet. Instead, Samsung is introducing an entirely new category: Android XR-based headsets. The company will unveil its highly anticipated Project Moohan headset, which will be the first product built on the Android XR platform. This is the result of significant collaboration between Samsung, Google and Qualcomm.
According to Samsung, the platform is “optimized from the start using artificial intelligence to scale across different form factors.” The company didn't provide specific details about the hardware, and they will remain under wraps until next week's event, but Samsung said the product aims to “combine everyday utility with new and exciting experiences.” The company also said that customers who reserve an upcoming Galaxy device will be eligible for a $100 credit that can be used to purchase other eligible products. Hopefully the fact that it's only $100 means it won't be that expensive. A man can dream.
We've seen pretty much everything Samsung has in store this year in terms of hardware, so we're not expecting anything short of a final Project Moohan announcement. This is the first time Samsung has released a headset in a long time. Before this, Samsung's most famous VR product was the Gear VR, a device that turned the Samsung Galaxy smartphone into a virtual reality headset. It was first introduced in 2014 as the “Innovator Edition” before a full consumer launch in 2015, and was a collaboration with Oculus, the company behind the Rift headset. It worked by having users attach a compatible Samsung smartphone, such as a Galaxy S or Note series device, to the front of the headset, thereby using the phone's display and processing power to create a virtual reality experience.
Then we had HMD's Odyssey line, which had two higher-resolution AMOLED displays than many of its contemporaries, built-in AKG headphones for immersive audio, and inside-out tracking that meant there was no need to install external sensors in the room. It will be something more similar to Apple's Vision Pro headset, as it is a standalone device with AR/VR capabilities. It will also serve as a pilot device for a range of Android XR-based headsets from other manufacturers – and this will only be the first device.
We'll learn more next week, so stay tuned for our coverage.
Source: Samsung
