Link: Android XR and Project Moohan hands-on: Gemini is the killer app - The Verge

Today, I had my first glimpse of Android XR, Google's ambitious new mixed reality platform for smart glasses. Encountering real-time translations during a demonstration, the technology felt like magic, making me momentarily forget that I'm not fluent in Spanish.

Android XR, designed to power a new generation of augmented reality devices, represents Google's renewed effort in a scene where it once faltered with Google Glass. Competitors like Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s offerings show that the market might finally be ready for such innovations.

Incorporating Gemini, Android XR's AI, helps users interact seamlessly with their environment by recognizing objects and their context. During the demo, Gemini accurately identified a book title from a brief glance I had earlier, showcasing its potential to profoundly change how we interact with our surroundings.

Though today's launch was aimed at developers, consumer products are on the horizon with Samsung's Project Moohan, an XR headset launching in 2025. This device promises to blend immersive content with everyday utility, bridging the gap between VR and smart glasses.

While using the prototype glasses, I could effortlessly switch from English to Japanese, asking about the weather in New York, and Gemini responded precisely in both languages. These interactions hint at a future where language barriers are less obstructive, blending the digital and real worlds more seamlessly.

Yet, despite the polished demos, I'm reminded that real-world use often presents unforeseen challenges. Until we can freely test these technologies ourselves, skepticism will remain. However, the potential I saw today made me feel closer to living in a sci-fi reality, akin to Tony Stark with his Jarvis. #

--

Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.