Samsung recently unveiled its Android XR headset, although they’re keeping mum on the specifics. However, they’ve dropped a couple of tidbits that VR fans and developers are bound to find exciting.
Dubbed ‘Project Moohan’, this headset is set to debut with Android XR next year. In our exclusive hands-on experience, we used hand-tracking and eye-tracking inputs, but Samsung has revealed plans for their own motion controllers, which will seamlessly integrate with Android XR.
The inclusion of these controllers is a pretty big deal. For one, it means the thousands of current VR apps, which rely on motion controllers, can transition over to Android XR without needing a complete overhaul. This stands in contrast to Vision Pro, which omits motion controller support, thus leaving a lot of popular VR content unable to make an easy transition to Apple’s XR platform.
As for details on the Project Moohan controllers, Samsung’s holding those close to the vest. What we do know is they’ll be available when the headset launches in 2025. Whether they’re bundled with the headset or sold separately is still up in the air.
In another win for existing VR content, Samsung and Google have confirmed that Android XR will support some form of PC VR streaming on Project Moohan and future headsets. This opens the door for users to stream PC VR content from their gaming PCs to their headsets, tapping into the rich library available on SteamVR, which often means enhanced graphics and wider modding possibilities.
That said, details are scarce. It’s not clear if this means Android XR will feature built-in PC VR streaming similar to Quest, or if Google is simply ensuring that third-party apps can provide such services on the platform.
Signs are pointing towards the latter. Virtual Desktop, one of the more popular third-party PC VR streaming apps, is already being crafted for Android XR.
If you’re keen to dive deeper into Android XR, don’t miss our announcement article and our exclusive hands-on experience with Samsung’s headset.
