Google is a bit struggling

Good morning everyone!

Google apparently hasn't reached that point yet with their headset, while the religious world is rapidly modernizing to address contemporary demands.

Today’s Topics:

• ⏳ Google's Mixed Reality Headset Project Faces Setbacks

• 🕌 Saudi Arabia bridges religion with VR

• 📝 Gaze interaction in AR with Volodymyr Kurbatov

Reading time: 4min

⏳ Google's Mixed Reality Headset Project Faces Setbacks

Google's mixed reality headset project, rumored to be called Project Moohan, is encountering challenges and delays ⏳ in partnership with Samsung, with concerns about control and rivalry.

Details:

• Google has teamed up with Samsung and Qualcomm, aiming to create a mixed reality headset powered by the Android platform 🌐.

• The project has become complex within Google due to partnership dynamics, allowing Samsung more influence over product features, which has reportedly led to delays in the production timeline.

• Some Google employees doubt the extended timeline will allow the device to compete effectively, casting doubt on its capacity to distinguish itself 📊 in the market, especially following Apple’s Vision Pro announcement.

• Despite that, Google is still exploring augmented reality (AR) options. It is investigating AI integration with AR glasses for a new initiative named Betty 🤖.

• Betty could involve monocular projection 👁️ for one lens and a separate project, codenamed Barry, is expected to utilize both lenses for enhanced AR experiences.

Our thoughts: Say what you will about Apple, but having the top three tech juggernauts (Google, Samsung, Qualcomm) of the industry team up to compete with Vision Pro speaks volumes. Apple has a history of becoming a competitive force in every industry they enter.

🕌 Saudi Arabia bridges religion with VR

Saudi Arabia launched a new initiative that will allow Muslims to experience touching Hajr Aswad, Makkah's Black Stone 🕋, in Virtual Reality (VR).

Details:

• The Virtual Black Stone Initiative leverages VR technology to provide an alternative for Muslims who cannot visit the Kaaba in person, enabling them to virtually touch the sacred Black Stone 🖐️, which holds immense religious significance.

• Collaboration among various entities, including the Kingdom's Agency for Exhibitions and Museums Affairs and the University of Umm al-Qura, strengthens the credibility and relevance of the initiative 🎓.

• The virtual experience extends beyond technology, aiming to unite Muslims globally in a shared sense of reverence and devotion 🌏.

Why it matters: While not a replacement for the physical pilgrimage, the Virtual Black Stone Initiative showcases Saudi Arabia's innovative approach to merging technology and tradition, enabling believers to connect spiritually regardless of geographical limitations.

📝 Gaze interaction in AR with Volodymyr Kurbatov

Have you ever wondered how we could effectively use Augmented Reality in our everyday lives? XR Product Prototyper Volodymyr Kurbatov has created a prototype that allows you to interact with various real-world objects using just your eyes 👀.

How does it work?

• The Gaze-to-select model 👁️ aims to simplify people's interactions within Extended Reality by enabling the selection of objects with a single gaze.

• Imagine controlling your electric curtains with a hand gesture or checking your messages by simply looking at your hand 🤯 (check the video).

• With eye tracking becoming a more prevalent feature across XR devices, this prototype, built on the Magic Leap platform, provides a tangible example of how gaze can facilitate a more intuitive interaction with virtual objects 👓.

Why it matters: In the coming years, Extended Reality will likely pose a serious threat to mobile devices. Why rely on physical objects when everything can be controlled with your eyes?

If you're interested in learning more about the details of how this prototype works, we highly recommend reading Kurbatov's article here!