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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Samsung has confirmed that the subsequent Unpacked will occur on October 21.
- The occasion will showcase its Challenge Moohan XR headset, and probably different merchandise.
- Early adopters can reserve a preorder in the present day and obtain a $100 retailer credit score.
The time is close to for Samsung to lastly announce the long-awaited Project Moohan headset.
The corporate confirmed in the present day that it will be internet hosting a digital Unpacked occasion on Tuesday, October 21, at 10 p.m. ET, throughout which we’ll doubtless study the whole lot about its next-gen XR headset. Codenamed Challenge Moohan, the headset was made in partnership with Google and Qualcomm, and is meant to be a direct competitor to the $3,499 Apple Vision Pro.
Additionally: I finally tried Samsung’s XR headset, and it beats my Apple Vision Pro in meaningful ways
However will the trio of tech giants succeed? That is dependent upon many issues, together with pricing, consolation, and the seamlessness of the software program ecosystem, contemplating the headset operates on Google’s newest Android XR platform.
What we all know thus far
I first demoed Challenge Moohan at Google I/O earlier this yr, and it was a surprisingly acquainted expertise. Like Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, Samsung’s XR headset is a blended actuality system that operates by means of movement, finger gestures, and eye monitoring, and is tethered to a conveyable energy financial institution.
You are initiated with an eye-tracking calibration, and you’ll snap on corrective lenses if wanted. As for the remainder of the expertise, think about the Android person interface, with its varied app icons, pop-up menus, and notifications floating in midair. I would think about that the majority present Android customers will not have hassle navigating the brand new working system.
Additionally: I wore smart glasses with xMEMS speakers and cooling fans – and wished my Ray-Bans had the same
Notably, I discovered Challenge Moohan to be a lot lighter and to have higher weight distribution than the Imaginative and prescient Professional — although it comes on the expense of a cheaper-feeling headband and shell. We’re speaking arduous plastic versus Apple’s metallic and aluminum. That is not a nasty factor, as Samsung’s materials alternative makes the headset extra comfy to put on whereas doubtless decreasing prices.
One other promoting level is the assorted Gemini instruments baked into Android XR, which permit customers to freely request AI help, whether or not they’re discovering an area suggestion on Maps or in search of gameplay recommendation. I am anticipating extra full-fledged demos at subsequent week’s Unpacked occasion.
Preorder provide for early adopters
Forward of the digital occasion, Samsung is providing a $100 store credit to prospects who reserve their preorder of the upcoming Galaxy machine. Based on the Tuesday press launch, the credit score could be utilized to “any further eligible merchandise,” which I’d guess consists of spare battery packs, journey circumstances, wi-fi earbuds, and extra.
Reserving the preorder just isn’t a dedication to buy, so it is a good suggestion to do it now to lock within the $100 promotion in case you determine to purchase subsequent week.
The best way to watch the digital Unpacked occasion
Samsung will probably be streaming the keynote on its main website and official YouTube channel on Tuesday, October 21, at 10 p.m. ET. Keep tuned to ZDNET for updates and protection of all of the bulletins at the moment.
