The world of augmented reality (AR) hardware is witnessing a captivating race for dominance, with industry giants Samsung, Apple, and Meta leading the charge. In 2022, reports surfaced regarding Google’s ambitious project codenamed “Project Iris,” initially believed to be focused on developing an AR headset. However, a recent revelation suggests that Project Iris was, in fact, an undertaking to create advanced smart glasses. Regrettably, it appears that Google has since made the decision to cancel this project.
According to a recent report from Business Insider, Google has halted its efforts in developing its own smart glasses, following the cancellation of the “Iris” project earlier this year. The original plan was to dedicate resources to building and eventually launching Iris as a standalone product. However, recent developments indicate a change in direction for Google, with no ongoing development on its own pair of smart glasses at present.
Insider reports reveal a turbulent journey for Google’s Project Iris glasses, marked by continual shifts in strategy that have caused frustration among employees and resulted in significant turmoil within the project group. Sources suggest that Google has decided to completely withdraw from the AR hardware sector, indicating a departure from its previous focus on developing smart glasses.
Recent developments indicate that Google is redirecting its efforts from hardware development towards the realm of AR software. In line with this strategic shift, Google has reportedly been working on an Android XR platform, designed specifically for Samsung’s AR headset, as confirmed in May. However, a new report reveals an additional facet to Google’s AR endeavors: the development of a “micro XR” platform intended for AR glasses.
Despite the current discontinuation of Google’s AR glasses project, insiders have revealed that there is a possibility for Project Iris to be revived in the future. According to reports, two employees familiar with the matter mentioned that Google has not completely abandoned the idea of AR glasses. It appears that within the company, there are still teams dedicated to exploring and experimenting with AR technologies.
Google’s decision to step away from AR glasses development could potentially put the company at a disadvantage compared to its competitors in the space, such as Samsung with its Vision Pro headset and Meta’s reported work on AR glasses. By opting out of the hardware race, Google risks losing ground in the evolving AR landscape.
However, it is worth noting that Google has a track record of taking its time with product development, as seen with the Pixel Fold. This deliberate approach allows the company to thoroughly research, refine, and optimize its offerings before bringing them to market. While this may result in a slower pace compared to competitors, it often leads to a more polished and well-rounded final product.
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