New XR Platform From Samsung and Google Will be Announced, if Not Launched, This Year

Recently, Samsung and Google have confirmed that their upcoming “XR platform” will be announced this year, with the possibility of a launch before the end of 2024 still uncertain.

In early 2023, Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm announced their collaboration on an “XR platform” based on Android. It was expected that more information about this platform and the devices it would power would be revealed in late 2023 or early 2024.

However, Apple surprised the tech world by unveiling its Vision Pro headset, set to launch in early 2024, which may have caused Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm to reassess their plans for their XR platform.

This week, the companies confirmed that the XR platform will be revealed by the end of 2024, possibly even launched by then.

During the Samsung Unpacked event, Google’s SVP of Platform & Devices, Rick Osterloh, discussed the collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm:

“We are working together to bring next-generation experiences across Galaxy products. From smartphones and wearables to future technologies like the upcoming XR platform, our partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm is paving the way for cutting-edge devices. Stay tuned for more exciting developments. It’s a new era in mobile computing, and we are excited to elevate our partnership with Samsung,” Osterloh stated.

Samsung’s Head of Mobile, TM Roh, also confirmed that the XR platform would be unveiled by the end of 2024.

“I want to thank Osterloh and his team at Google for their ongoing partnership that drives innovation and unlocks new possibilities, such as our upcoming XR platform launching this year,” Roh added.

The exact nature of the “XR platform” remains unknown. Initially thought to be a competitor to Meta’s Quest platform, the focus may have shifted towards productivity and spatial computing, influenced by Apple’s Vision Pro headset. It is possible that Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm are exploring mobile-centric transparent AR glasses with basic smartglasses features.

More details are expected to be revealed later this year, but whether it will be an announcement or an actual product launch by the end of 2024 is still uncertain.

What are your thoughts on what will be unveiled, and what features would you like to see? Share your opinions in the comments below!