Google to scrap AR glasses – focus on “Android for XR”
While Apple and Meta have either announced or are already selling their headsets, Google has scrapped plans to launch its own AR glasses, according to a report by Insider magazine. The focus should now be on the software basis – a kind of Android for augmented reality.
According to Hugh Langley of US Magazine Insiders (Paywall) Google scrapped the Iris project months ago. He relies on three anonymous sources who are said to be familiar with the topic. The AR project was put on hold after a wave of layoffs, internal restructuring, and finally the departure of Google’s AR/VR boss Clay Bavor. According to Linkedin, Bavor left Google in March 2023.
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The first reports of Google’s Project Iris date back to January 2022. At the time, The Verge reported that initial prototypes were shaped like ski goggles and the AR headset, similar to the Meta and Apple headsets, would have outward-facing cameras to capture digital content to merge with the real world. This is intended to create a better mixed reality experience than the AR glasses from Snap and Magic Leap allow.
The group confirmed that Google is working on AR glasses at the I/O developer conference in May 2022. At that time, Google demonstrated how the glasses could be used to translate conversations in real time.
At I/O 2022, Google presented the vision of AR glasses with a translation function. (Screenshot: Google / t3n)
Google actually wanted these glasses from August 2022 be tested publiclyto try out transcription and navigation features in the real world. Apparently nothing came of it.
According to insiders, Google is now concentrating on developing the software for AR glasses. The group is said to be working on a “Micro XR” platform that could be licensed to other headset manufacturers. This would mean that Google would follow a path similar to that of Android for smartphones and other devices.
As far as the remains of the headset and the experience gained with it are concerned, they will flow into another project: In February 2023, Google, Samsung and Qualcomm announced quite vague plans to work together on a new mixed reality platform. According to insider sources, the Google glasses are the basis for the upcoming Samsung headset. More specific details are to be communicated in 2023.
The fact that Samsung and Google are tackling a joint project is not new: the two recently announced the wearable platform Wear OS in joint work, from which, in addition to the Galaxy Watch 5 and the Pixel Watch (test), other smartwatches from various other manufacturers such as Mobvoi ( Ticwatch) and Fossil emerged.
According to two sources of the insider report, it is not completely impossible that Google could revive its Project Iris at some point. After all, Google itself has a hardware division with ambitious plans.
So it’s no surprise that some teams at Google are still experimenting with AR, according to Langley’s information. In addition, the group has all sorts of know-how in this area – not least in the form of the team of the Canadian AR startup North, which was taken over in 2020. In March 2022, Google also acquired the micro-LED startup Raxium.
