In January, we unveiled the Google AR headset project, known as Project Iris, which aimed to compete with the upcoming headgear from Meta and Apple.
In accordance with recent reports, Google is said to be discontinuing its glasses-shaped augmented reality (AR) project, Project Iris, following the emergence of competing products.
Google Shifts Focus to Software
Insider, citing three individuals familiar with the matter, reveals that Google has abandoned its plans for Project Iris. Recalling the translation glasses showcased by Google at last year’s Google I/O event, which were previously criticized as vaporware, this report signifies the termination of those glasses.
Additionally, it suggests that the versions featuring transcription and navigation capabilities, initially intended for public testing starting in July of last year, are no longer being developed.
According to the publication, Google has now shifted its focus from hardware to software. The company is currently developing a micro XR platform that could be licensed to other headset manufacturers, mirroring the approach Google employs with its Android operating system for a diverse range of smartphones.
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Challenges Faced during Project Iris Development
Nevertheless, Insider speculates that the ski goggle-like headset, previously mentioned, might still be a possibility as Google is no longer solely responsible for its creation.
In February, Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm made a rather ambiguous announcement regarding their partnership on a new mixed-reality platform. Although significant details have been scarce since then, sources cited by Insider claim that Google’s goggles served as the basis for Samsung’s upcoming headset.
This collaboration between Samsung and Google would not be their first, as they have previously collaborated on cutting-edge devices, such as Google’s modifications to Android to support Samsung’s Galaxy Fold line of folding phones, preceding the release of Google’s own Pixel Fold this summer.
Initially, it was reported that Google intended to release an AR headset in 2024. During the Google I/O 2023 event last month, Sameer Samat, Google’s Vice President, mentioned that the company would provide further information later this year regarding the Samsung collaboration.
There have been reports of layoffs and strategic shifts throughout the development of Project Iris, with Clay Bavor, Google’s head of VR/AR, notably departing from the company four months ago.
Kurt Akeley, a distinguished engineer associated with the project, is now listed as retired on his LinkedIn profile, as previously mentioned in our report. However, two other individuals, including Mark Lucovsky, the senior director of operating systems for AR, are still indicated as being involved with AR at Google.
Google has not yet responded to requests for comments.
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