In a series of demonstrations at Google’s offices in Mountain View, Calif., the companies showed off some features of Samsung’s headset and a prototype of glasses developed by Google.
The Samsung device is similar to the Vision Pro, including a curved front, built-in speakers, and a high-resolution display. It also has a similar ability to switch between VR and AR modes, as well as an external battery pack that connects via cable.
The hardware itself is encased in cushioned gray plastic and can be worn with or without a light seal. Light seals are components that block outside light from interfering with your experience. The battery pack is replaceable and connects via USB-C. Samsung said different packs are available with different levels of battery life.
The main difference with Apple Vision Pro is that the Samsung device is lighter and more comfortable to wear for long periods of time. It also features a large cushion for the back of the user’s head and an adjustable plastic part that goes around the head. The Samsung device’s field of view also appears wider than the Vision Pro, allowing users to see more content at once.
Wonjun Choi, head of research and development for Samsung’s mobile division, said the idea is to better distribute weight. “We’ve done a huge amount of research” using human head data and simulations, he said, adding: “First impressions are very important.” The company believes comfort should be one of the top priorities when building wearable devices, Choi said.
On Samsung products, users can double-tap the side to switch between AR and VR modes. This means you can switch between viewing the outside world and more immersive environments such as mountains or other VR backgrounds. Similarly, the Vision Pro allows users to select the level of immersion by turning a clock-like crown.
The Android XR operating system itself is very reminiscent of visionOS, allowing users to fill the space with multiple windows that can be moved and resized. It includes many core Android apps and Google services, including Maps, YouTube, Google TV, Photos, Docs, and Chrome. The software can be used like a standard computer and can be controlled with a mouse and keyboard.
Samsung devices can also be operated using hand and eye controls. The big difference with the Vision Pro is that, at least on the prototype device, users must look at certain items and raise their hands to control them. Vision Pro users can keep their hands on their laps.
Overall, the interface was smooth to navigate and included features users expect from a VR headset, such as immersive video playback. Similar to the latest version of visionOS, this software also includes the ability to turn photos into 3D memories. However, it has an edge over Apple devices by offering the same functionality for previously recorded videos.
