The next era of computing has arrived. Today, Google and Samsung unveiled the groundbreaking Galaxy XR headset, the first device built on the new Android XR operating system, marking a definitive commitment by the two tech giants to the mixed reality space.
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The Galaxy XR is now available for purchase starting at $1,799, positioning itself as a premium entry into the market for high-fidelity virtual and augmented experiences.
Android XR: A New Operating System Defined by AI:
The true innovation lies in the underlying software. The Android XR operating system is designed to seamlessly blend digital content with the user’s physical surroundings. At the core of this experience is the deep integration of Google’s AI, Gemini.
Dubbed “Gemini Live,” the conversational AI assistant leverages the headset’s awareness of its environment, allowing users to interact with their apps and the real world using only their voice, hands, and eyes. For example, users can ask Gemini about the real-time stats of a player they are watching on a virtual screen, with the AI understanding the context of what they are seeing.
Infinite Screens and Immersive Apps on the Galaxy XR:
The Galaxy XR headset transforms any room into an infinite workspace or personal entertainment hub. Users can arrange multiple resizable app windows—including Chrome, documents, and Google Meet video tiles—all around them. Productivity is further enhanced by being able to link the device to a PC and use a paired keyboard and mouse for a complete desktop setup.
The new headset provides access to a reimagined Google app suite and a wealth of third-party content:
- Entertainment: Convert existing 2D photos and videos into immersive 3D memories with Google Photos, or turn any space into a private cinema using Google TV. YouTube now features a spatial tab for 3D content and the world’s largest library of 180 and 360-degree VR videos.
- Exploration: Google Maps utilizes its “Immersive View” feature to allow users to explore the world in stunning 3D, from soaring over the Grand Canyon to walking the streets of Tokyo.
- Intuitive Search: The popular Circle to Search feature now works in mixed reality, allowing users to simply circle any virtual object, or even a real-world item in their room, to instantly pull up helpful information from the web.
The Galaxy XR is available starting today on Samsung.com and at select Samsung and Google retail locations. The launch is seen by analysts as a major step in establishing Android XR as a powerful, open platform for the next generation of computing devices.
