TL;DR
- Google has scrapped its plans for next-gen augmented actuality glasses.
- The corporate has determined to pivot to growing software program platforms for AR as an alternative.
- Google workers had been reportedly pissed off with leaders frequently altering the technique for the mission.
At present, there’s an augmented actuality (AR) {hardware} arms race brewing between Samsung, Apple, and Meta. At one time, Google was additionally part of that race, because it labored on a product referred to as Venture Iris. Nevertheless it seems Google has now bowed out of that race after canceling the mission.
Particulars about Venture Iris first emerged in a report from The Verge in January 2022. The machine was described as an AR machine resembling a pair of ski goggles. Nevertheless, that individual machine occurred to be a separate AR mission in partnership with Samsung — which was introduced earlier this yr. The actual Venture Iris was as an alternative a collection of merchandise resembling a pair of glasses.
Based on a report from Enterprise Insider, Google had plans to launch Iris as its personal product. To assist with the event of this next-generation Google Glass successor, the tech large acquired a Canadian good glasses firm referred to as North in 2020. It even publically demoed the gadget’s translation talents.
Nevertheless, the machine was placed on the again burner following layoffs, reshuffles, and the departure of Google’s chief of augmented and digital actuality, in accordance with the outlet’s sources. The sources say that workers grew pissed off with management as they routinely modified the technique for Iris, requiring the staff to repeatedly pivot.
Now it seems the Mountain View-based group is transferring away from {hardware} growth and is shifting its focus to AR software program growth. We reported in Might that Google confirmed it was engaged on an Android XR platform for Samsung’s AR headset. However this new report additionally mentions a “micro XR” platform meant for AR glasses. The corporate apparently hopes to license its software program to the producers constructing these gadgets, because it does with its cell OS.
Whereas it seems to be prefer it’s the top for Google’s AR glasses for now, two workers reportedly mentioned the corporate might resurrect Venture Iris sooner or later. It seems there are nonetheless some groups experimenting with AR applied sciences.
With Samsung’s headset, the Imaginative and prescient Professional, and Meta reported to be working by itself AR glasses, Google’s determination might even see the corporate fall behind its opponents within the house. Nevertheless, Google additionally took its time with the event of the Pixel Fold.
