Samsung is making waves with its recently revealed Android XR headset, though they’re playing it close to the vest regarding specifics. However, there are two bits of news that existing VR fans and developers will undoubtedly find exciting.
Dubbed ‘Project Moohan,’ Samsung’s headset is breaking new ground by being the first set to launch with Android XR, scheduled for next year. When I tried it out, the headset exclusively relied on hand-tracking and eye-tracking for input. But here’s the kicker: Samsung is also developing its own motion controllers, which will naturally integrate with Android XR.
This development is a game-changer. It means that developers can port countless existing VR applications that depend on motion controllers to Android XR without having to overhaul their basic designs. In contrast, Apple’s Vision Pro doesn’t support these controllers, leaving most existing VR experiences with a tough road ahead to adapt to Apple’s XR environment.
While they’ve teased us about the Project Moohan controllers, Samsung hasn’t spilled the beans yet on the specifics. They’ve assured, nonetheless, that these controllers will be available once the headset hits the market in 2025. What remains up in the air, though, is whether these controllers will come as standard with the headset or be an optional extra.
For those concerned about existing VR content, there’s more good news: Samsung and Google have both confirmed that Project Moohan (and future headsets) will support some form of PC VR streaming via Android XR. This capability opens the door for users to stream VR content straight from their gaming PCs to the headset, tapping into the vast reservoir of content available on SteamVR, which often boasts superior graphics and extensive modding options.
Yet, specifics on this feature remain under wraps. We don’t know if “support” implies an inbuilt PC VR streaming capability similar to what Quest offers, or if it simply means Google will facilitate third-party streaming apps on the platform. The inclination seems to be towards the latter, as Virtual Desktop, a leading third-party PC VR streaming app, is already in development for Android XR.
To dive deeper into what Android XR offers and get a closer look at Samsung’s headset, make sure to check out our feature articles and hands-on reviews.
