Unlike Apple’s walled garden, Samsung’s approach is all about open ecosystems and accessibility. Moohan runs on Google’s new Android XR platform, meaning it’ll support existing Android apps and a fresh wave of XR experiences.
While Apple’s Vision Pro definitely made some waves, Samsung isn’t sitting this one out. Enter Project Moohan, Samsung’s ambitious mixed reality headset that’s shaping up to be a serious competitor in the very competitive world of VR. And the best part? It’s going to play nice with Android. Unlike Apple’s walled garden, Samsung’s approach is all about open ecosystems and accessibility.
Moohan runs on Google’s new Android XR platform, meaning it’ll support existing Android apps and a fresh wave of XR experiences. So if you’re already in Samsung’s world, using a Galaxy phone, a smartwatch, or even Samsung’s ecosystem, it looks like this headset is going to feel like a natural extension rather than a separate device.
Samsung Project Moohan Vs Apple Vision Pro
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Vision Pro was the fact that it weighed 600 grams, meaning it isn’t exactly designed for all-day wear unless, of course, you want to build some serious neck muscles. Samsung’s Project Moohan, on the other hand, is way lighter and features magnetic light seals for better immersion. It also features plush padding to keep things a bit more comfortable. Plus, it’s bringing eye-tracking-powered IPD adjustment, which means the lenses will automatically shift for the clearest image possible.
The Price? Well, here’s where things get really interesting. Apple’s Vision Pro is priced at a staggering $3,499, while Meta’s Quest 3 sits at an affordable $499. Samsung is reportedly aiming for the middle ground, somewhere around $2000. That could make Moohan the perfect balance of high-end tech without the Apple-sized price tag.
Additionally, Samsung isn’t just thinking about gaming and entertainment, they’re also actively partnering with companies like Adobe and Major League Baseball (MLB) to explore enterprise and creative applications for their headset. In addition to software development kits (SDKs) and developer sessions that are expected to roll out soon, a number of professional applications are also in the works.
With Project Moohan, Samsung is setting itself up as the go-to alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to live inside Apple’s ecosystem. The combination of Android compatibility, a lighter design, and a more accessible price point could make this the headset that actually pushes XR into the mainstream.
Interpupillary Distance (IPD) and Google’s AndroidXR
Interpupillary Distance (IPD) is the space between your eyes, or rather, the centers of your pupils, typically measured in millimeters. In the world of virtual reality (VR), precise IPD alignment is critical for a number of reasons. These include sharp visuals, comfort, and full immersion. What this means is that for some reason, if the lenses on your VR headset aren’t positioned right, not only will things start looking blurry, but you may also feel seriously disoriented, causing eye strain and reportedly severe headaches. Not a good feeling.
Additionally, everyone’s IPD is a little different, some people have a narrow IPD of around 55mm, while others have a much wider distance, closer to 75mm which means buying a headset with a fixed IPD is not really a wise decision.
Project Moohan is also built on Android XR which is a new operating system specifically designed for extended reality (or XR) devices. Unlike “other” VR platforms, Android XR integrates seamlessly with Google’s ecosystem, allowing users to interact with familiar Google apps like Google Maps, YouTube, and even AI-powered enhancements like Gemini AI. With Gemini AI built in, the headset reportedly provides smarter interactions, recognizes surroundings, and even offers real-time assistance.
With Samsung’s hardware expertise, combined with Google’s software and AI capabilities, Apple definitely has its work cut out for it. With a smoother, more intuitive XR experience that blends virtual and augmented reality effortlessly, Samsung’s project Moohan might just do what Apple couldn’t and make AR the next big thing.
The future of Augmented Reality
In conclusion, Augmented Reality (AR) is all set to replace the screens that 99% of us are addicted to. Digital interactions could soon be seamless and hands-free. While we all keep looking at our phones all day, a future where notifications, directions, and messages float in front of us in real time is looking more and more likely. With the added integration of AI, AR headsets will be “context-aware,” offering us personalized overlays like real-time navigation arrows on the road or personalized discounts at brick and mortar stores.
It would only make sense then that work and education will also go fully immersive, with holographic meetings and interactive 3D learning. In conclusion, the digital world as we know it is changing in front of our eyes (quite literally) making it an excellent time to be alive!
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