Samsung enters the market of smart glasses: presented a gadget on Android XR

At the Galaxy Unpacked event, Samsung officially presented its first generation of smart glasses. The device was created in cooperation with Google and Qualcomm and runs on the new Android XR platform, and the key element of the user experience is the artificial intelligence of Google Gemini. Unlike AR-helmets aimed at professional tasks, the novelty is designed for daily use and should be an addition to the smartphone, not its replacement.

The design was created together with well-known brands

When creating glasses, Samsung made a bet not only on technology, but also on the appearance of the device. For this, the company involved two well-known manufacturers of frames – Gentle Monster and Warby Parker.

Each brand offered its own design performance. Gentle Monster prepared a minimalist black frame with stricter lines, while Warby Parker emphasized a classic silhouette in brown. At the same time, Samsung notes that the work was not limited to the choice of design: engineers, together with manufacturers, adjusted the design to achieve the most comfortable fit during long-term wear. Special attention was paid to weight distribution and points of contact with the person.

Android XR and specialized Qualcomm processor

The hardware part of the device is built on the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 platform, developed by Qualcomm specifically for wearable electronics of this class. The software component is responsible for Android XR – Google’s new operating system for augmented and mixed reality devices.

The camera, several microphones, speakers and touch panels located on the brackets are built into the case. The user can control the device in several ways: by voice, touch, gestures or through connected devices of the Galaxy ecosystem.

The glasses are able to work together with smartphones, the Galaxy Ring and the Galaxy Watch. However, gesture control is only implemented when using the Galaxy Watch 9 and newer models.

Gemini has access to what the user sees

The main difference between the novelty and ordinary smart glasses is the close integration with artificial intelligence Google Gemini. Thanks to the built-in camera, the assistant gets access to the image that the user sees and uses this visual context when processing requests.

This approach allows the system not only to answer questions, but to take into account the surrounding environment. For example, Gemini can recognize objects, help with navigation, provide information about objects around the user or analyze the text seen.

In addition, the glasses are able to convey long messages, highlighting the most important points, voice them through built-in speakers and translate foreign languages ​​almost in real time. If the user points the camera at a document or note, the text can be saved to Samsung Notes without having to take a separate photo.

Samsung also claims that Gemini is able to take into account the user’s previous actions and link different requests. This should make the answers more consistent and consider the current use case.

Glasses will be able to replace a smartphone in some everyday tasks

Another feature of the device was support for video calls with the image broadcast directly from the camera of the glasses. During the conversation, the interlocutor will be able to see what is happening through the user’s eyes, while the hands will remain free.

In addition to Samsung branded services, the device supports Google applications. At the start, compatibility with Google Maps, Google Translate, Samsung Notes, Spotify and YouTube Music was announced. It is likely that the list of available software will gradually expand after launch.

Autonomy

According to Samsung, the built-in battery provides up to nine hours of operation in a mixed usage scenario.

To increase autonomy, a charging case is provided, which is capable of fully charging the device seven more times. Thus, the total energy reserve is designed for long-term use without constant access to the outlet.

Release date

Samsung has not yet disclosed the cost of the new smart glasses. The company also does not name a specific date for the start of sales, limiting itself to the statement that the device will appear on the market by the end of the year.

Buyers will be able to order a version with corrective lenses. In addition, Samsung has already confirmed plans to expand the line – in the future, the manufacturer intends to present additional frame options and new design versions of the device.