Samsung's Galaxy XR Mixed Reality Headset Now Available for $1,800

[everythingisspatial]

I don't think it's designed specifically for gaming, but with controllers available out of the gate, they've clearly understood the market a bit better than apple's 'productivity device with no inputs other than pinching' concept.

What is the market, then? Apple is not interested in game consoles, and if you've ever used one of these, then direct hand manipulation > clunky controllers.

Keep in mind that Samsung already have successful implementations of Samsung Gear VR in theme parks with VR roller coasters, and in high-end interior design stores with virtual designs. So they've proven that there is a market outside of gaming. This also does more AR and AI functions rather than just gimmicky VR functions, so the controllers + lower price + software open up a lot more opportunities for developers - with one specific developer being Google.

Uh.... no. That was a complete failure lol

The fact that this runs Android XR, means that Google (who also own Niantic - the makers of Pokemon Go) have a strong incentive to develop for it. It means that this isn't Samsung Vs Apple in hardware, it means it's Samsung + Google vs Apple. And Apple isn't developing their own apps for AVP, whereas Google owns multiple companies that can develop apps for This headset.

As opposed to Apple, who has an App Store of 2 million apps and millions of developers? How is Niantic in any way relevant here?

If anything, killedbygoogle.com would prove you wrong.

That's why I think it will be interesting to see how this sells. The AVP is already a dead product.

News to Apple, given they literally got 10% of the market lol, and just release a second gen. Is it possible your opinion is clouding your vision?

It's possible that Google developing for the Samsung version might be the thing that prompts developers to create AVP versions of those apps, so ironically this product might actually be the thing that keeps AVP alive.

You just said this, but it's no more true than 3 sentences prior

 

[Jensend]

Agreed minus characterizing any of this as VR. VR is metaverse and Immersive Video/Environments. AR is the rest.

Spatial computing really just is an apt term, because it properly describes blending digital content with your real world.

What term would you use to describe the category that includes both the Vision Pro and the Valve Index?

 

[everythingisspatial]

Not at nearly double the price.

Actually it is lol. It's far better. It's unreasonably better. Where's Samsung's spatial FaceTime? Nowhere. Dead on arrival.

 

[everythingisspatial]

Good to see it so light. I was worried it would be as heavy as the Vision Pro. The resolution is great too. It’s kind of expensive though, compared to the Quest 3. Especially wouldn’t want to pay that price from a company like Samsung known for sneaking ads into their products. (Rip people who bought a Samsung fridge.) I don’t really want a headset made by Facebook, but a more expensive model from an ad-supported company isn’t appealing either.

HMD weight is not actually intuitive. Balance matters more than absolute weight. You can have something 0.5 lbs heavier, but it feel lighter. This is why Apple's second gen + Dual Knit band is amazing. The tungsten counterweight definitely makes the product feel lighter

 

[everythingisspatial]

What term would you use to describe the category that includes both the Vision Pro and the Valve Index?

I wouldn't group those in together, but they're both head mounted products.

Valve Index is a VR gaming console. Apple is a spatial computer. Index is trying to take you out of your world for content; Apple is trying to blend digital content into your world.

 

[Nozuka]

Seems as useless as the Vision Pro.

But at least it is cheaper.

 

[Jensend]

VR has flopped. Apple called it back in 2015 when they began work on their augmented reality products

Regardless of what you think of the current success of VR, or what you think its future prospects are, I think claiming that it's a 40 year old industry is stupid, considering that it would be hard to render much beyond a wireframe cube 40 years ago at a performance level that would acceptable for VR.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Their "live" event and interaction with the audience was a breath of fresh air. They were clearly taking a jab at Apple by reminding us that their demos are being done live.

Hopefully Apple takes notes and returns to a similar format. I’m tired of the overproduced segments and special effects.

I’m good with skipping applause every 4th paragraph.

 

[platinumaqua]

magnetic prescription inserts

Smart move. This is always a barrier to this sort of product for glasses wearers, of which I am one.

If I were to get one, I would get the cheaper standard versions and wear contacts while using it.

 

[everythingisspatial]

Regardless of what you think of the current success of VR, or what you think its future prospects are, I think claiming that it's a 40 year old industry is stupid, considering that it would be hard to render much beyond a wireframe cube 40 years ago at a performance level that would acceptable for VR.

Never claimed that. You're replying to the wrong person. I simply claimed it failed, which it did. Turns out, people don't want to live in a "metaverse."

Not to worry. It will live on, but only in select experiences where it's actually good, like Immersive Video and Environments

 

[everythingisspatial]

If I were to get one, I would get the cheaper standard versions and wear contacts while using it.

The magnetic lens inserts for Apple (which Samsung copied) are better because Apple's entire UI is gaze based. Samsung's isn't, much like a stylus based phone. So you could probably get away with it on Samsung

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Zuckerberg isn't ahead 🤣 He is not even competing. What is he doing? Literally siphoning up data for camera goggles. Yikes!

And getting people to capture detailed information about their living spaces, upload it to Meta where, 8 hours later, you can virtually walk around in a place that you have physical access to. Meta’s good at getting people to give them info.

 

[Scarpad]

For $500 the quest 3 is a fun little diversion to game and mostly watch movies on. $1800 and $3500 when the companies themselves don’t have confidence in the product, insane. Apple doesn’t even want to take the used ones in trade. All I’d like is a meta quest 3 with slightly better lenses. I’d pay $750 for that

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Good to see it so light. I was worried it would be as heavy as the Vision Pro. The resolution is great too. It’s kind of expensive though, compared to the Quest 3. Especially wouldn’t want to pay that price from a company like Samsung known for sneaking ads into their products. (Rip people who bought a Samsung fridge.) I don’t really want a headset made by Facebook, but a more expensive model from an ad-supported company isn’t appealing either.

It’s still over a pound. Anyone that can’t deal with over a pound of AVP won’t be able to deal with over a pound of this.

 

[everythingisspatial]

For $500 the quest 3 is a fun little diversion to game and mostly watch movies on. $1800 and $3500 when the companies themselves don’t have confidence in the product, insane. Apple doesn’t even want to take the used ones in trade. All I’d like is a meta quest 3 with slightly better lenses. I’d pay $750 for that

Facebook's Quest 3 is really horrible for watching movies lol.

 

[everythingisspatial]

It’s still over a pound. Anyone that can’t deal with over a pound of AVP won’t be able to deal with over a pound of this.

Even worse: the whole thing is hard plastic with faux leather (for "comfort") and it isn't weighted in the back. Dead on arrival.

 

[Jensend]

I wouldn't group those in together,

I did, because I was describing something they both have in common.

but they're both head mounted products.

I suppose I could also call them both HMDs, but I also don't want to include smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Ban Display, so that term doesn't necessarily work better.

Valve Index is a VR gaming console. Apple is a spatial computer. Index is trying to take you out of your world for content; Apple is trying to blend digital content into your world.

The Valve index is not a console. It does not have a computer in it. But that's not relevant to my point. You are arguing against something I didn't say.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

'productivity device with no inputs other than pinching' concept.

Which literally everyone is copying now. I doubt we see a device shipping without a base pinching interaction mode when, before Apple, they weren’t.

 

[Ctrlos]

Lower Price + Controllers + Google Play Pass. It seems like this is designed from the outset to appeal to casual VR gamers, which is a much more natural fit for a VR product. The AVP was really just a monitor designed for passive media consumption, which other screens already do better, but being sold as a productivity device - which it definitely isn't. It will be interesting to see how this sells.

But as a gamer I can buy a Quest3S for less than £300 and play Tetris Effect and Rez Infinite until the cows come home. Unless you were to create some sort of pass through geolocation game (meaning wearing it outside and looking a complete tit) nothing above the £500 Quest 3 offers any improvements in gaming.

In fact the best selection of VR games is still the OG PSVR for the PS4. Because the VR2 isn’t backwards compatible it’s the only place you can play Astrobot, WipEout and a host of other Sony exclusive VR games. 2nd hand price these days? £50.

Gaming is the VR USP and you don’t need to spend much to get at it.

 

[Piggie]

For $500 the quest 3 is a fun little diversion to game and mostly watch movies on. $1800 and $3500 when the companies themselves don’t have confidence in the product, insane. Apple doesn’t even want to take the used ones in trade. All I’d like is a meta quest 3 with slightly better lenses. I’d pay $750 for that

Well, you (we) may be in luck.
Meta has supposedly agreed to let other brands build Quest compatible headsets with different (higher specs) so we may indeed see a product from someone else, running the Meta platform at a higher price point, with a few higher spec aspects to it.

 

[everythingisspatial]

I did, because I was describing something they both have in common.

You literally asked me what I would call both of those products. I prefaced it by saying I wouldn't group those. Then I answered your question.

I suppose I could also call them both HMDs, but I also don't want to include smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Ban Display, so that term doesn't necessarily work better.

But it does Those are all head worn products. You then divide it into subcategories, just like all tech today. PC > Desktop and Laptop > Etc

The Valve index is not a console. It does not have a computer in it. But that's not relevant to my point. You are arguing against something I didn't say.

It is a console. The purpose of it is literally to game. No one is doing work in an Index. People are not FaceTiming in an Index. They're gaming.

 

[platinumaqua]

The magnetic lens inserts for Apple (which Samsung copied) are better because Apple's entire UI is gaze based. Samsung's isn't, much like a stylus based phone. So you could probably get away with it on Samsung

Vision Pro doesn't work with contacts?

 

[chars1ub0w]

Engadget says:
1. significantly lighter. 545g vs. M5 Vision Pro at 750g.
2. slightly higher resolution.
3. "the image quality from this headset is seriously sharp. It's even better than Apple's goggles"
4. similar battery life
5. WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4
6. Can be used as a big monitor?

 

[everythingisspatial]

Vision Pro doesn't work with contacts?

You *can* use it with contacts.

Using Apple Vision Pro with vision prescriptions and vision conditions - Apple Support

Apple Vision Pro supports a wide range of vision prescription and vision condition needs. Certain prescription needs and conditions may impact the viewing experience. Learn about your options if you use prescription or reader eyeglasses, contact lenses, if you have certain vision conditions, or...

support.apple.com

 

[Piggie]

What's the point of a lower price if it's substantially worse (which it is)?

We all like higher spec'd products, but I don't understand your logic here.

That would be like saying, what's the point in anyone creating a $25,000 car, as it's worse than the $50,000 car currently on sale.

Cars. TV, HiFi Systems, Computers (pretty much everything that's made for sale) comes with different qualities/specifications and price points.

If I pay half as much for something I would not expect it to be exactly the same as the alternative at twice the price.
Customers should want many levels of devices at many levels of price points.

Saying, "It's either the most expensive of everything, or I buy nothing ever" is not the real world.

I'm just happy for devices and competition at all price points.
Gives us customers the maximum choice.