Samsung has been rather tight-lipped about its recent unveiling of an Android XR headset, but it has let slip a couple of exciting details that are sure to catch the attention of seasoned VR lovers and developers alike.
Dubbed ‘Project Moohan,’ this headset is poised to be the first to roll out with Android XR next year. During our exclusive hands-on experience, we discovered it supports hand-tracking and eye-tracking input, which is impressive on its own. However, Samsung has gone a step further by revealing plans for first-party motion controllers. These controllers will seamlessly integrate with Android XR, making them a significant addition to the platform.
Why is this a big deal? Well, it opens up the possibility for thousands of existing VR apps, which rely on motion controllers, to transition to Android XR without the need for a complete redesign. This stands in stark contrast to Apple’s Vision Pro, which doesn’t accommodate motion controllers, leaving a vast swath of popular VR content without a direct route to Apple’s platform.
As for details on the Project Moohan controllers, Samsung is keeping its cards close to its chest. They’ve confirmed these controllers will be ready for the headset’s launch in 2025, but haven’t decided if they’ll come bundled with every device or sold separately.
In another win for current VR content, Samsung and Google have confirmed that Project Moohan will support some form of PC VR streaming with Android XR, both for this headset and future models. This means users can stream content from a gaming PC, diving into the extensive VR library available on SteamVR, which offers not only enhanced graphics but also wider modding support.
Again, details are sparse on the PC VR streaming front. Whether Android XR will have an in-built PC VR streaming capability, similar to the Quest, or merely offer support for third-party apps is still up in the air. However, signs point to the latter, especially with the development of popular third-party app Virtual Desktop already underway for Android XR.
For further insights into Android XR and more thoughts from our time with Samsung’s headset, don’t miss checking out our announcement article and hands-on review.
