Google and Samsung’s Undertaking Moohan Android XR headset isn’t totally new – my colleague Lance Ulanoff already broke down what we knew about it again in December 2024. However till now, nobody at TechRadar had the possibility to attempt it out.
That modified shortly after Sundar Pichai stepped off the Google I/O 2025 stage. I had a short however revealing seven-minute demo with the headset.
After scanning my prescription lenses and matching them with a suitable set from Google, they had been inserted into the Undertaking Moohan headset, and I used to be rapidly immersed in a fast-paced demonstration.
It wasn’t a full expertise – extra a fast style of what Google’s Android XR platform is shaping as much as be, and really a lot on the alternative finish of the spectrum in comparison with the polished demo of the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional I skilled at WWDC 2023.
Undertaking Moohan itself feels much like the Imaginative and prescient Professional in some ways, although it’s clearly a bit much less premium. However one side stood out above all: the combination of Google Gemini.
“Hey Gemini, what tree am I ?”
Similar to Gemini Dwell on an Android just like the Pixel 9 – Google’s AI assistant takes heart stage in Undertaking Moohan. The launcher contains two rows of core Google apps – Photographs, Chrome, YouTube, Maps, Gmail, and extra—with a devoted icon for Gemini on the prime.
You choose icons by urgent your thumb and forefinger collectively, mimicking the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional’s fundamental management. As soon as activated, the acquainted Gemini Dwell backside bar seems. Because of the headset’s built-in cameras, Gemini can see what you’re seeing.
Within the press lounge on the Shoreline Amphitheater, I checked out a close-by tree and requested, “Hey Gemini, what tree is that this?” It rapidly recognized a kind of sycamore and offered just a few info. The entire interplay felt clean and surprisingly pure.
You can even grant Gemini entry to what’s in your display screen, turning it right into a hands-free controller for the XR expertise. I requested it to tug up a map of Asbury Park, New Jersey, then launched into immersive view – successfully dropping right into a full 3D rendering akin to Google Earth. Decreasing my head gave me a transparent view under, and pinching and dragging helped me navigate round.
I jumped to a restaurant in Manhattan, requested Gemini to indicate inside pictures, and adopted up by requesting evaluations. Gemini responded with related YouTube movies of the eatery. It was a compelling multi-step AI demo – and it labored impressively nicely.
That’s to not say every part was flawless. There have been just a few slowdowns, however Gemini was simply the spotlight of the expertise. I got here away wanting extra time with it.
{Hardware} impressions
Although I solely wore the headset briefly, it was evident that whereas it shares some design cues with the Imaginative and prescient Professional, Undertaking Moohan is noticeably lighter – although not as high-end in really feel.
After inserting the lenses, I put the headset on like a visor—the display screen in entrance, and the again strap over my head. A dial on the rear let me tighten the match simply. Urgent the ability button on prime adjusted the lenses to my eyes mechanically, with an inside mechanism that subtly repositioned them inside seconds.
From there, I used the primary management gesture – rotating my hand and tapping thumb to forefinger – to convey up the launcher. That gesture appears to be the first interface for now.
Google talked about eye monitoring might be supported, however I didn’t get to attempt it throughout this demo. As a substitute, I used hand monitoring to navigate, which, as somebody accustomed to the Imaginative and prescient Professional, felt barely unintuitive. I’m glad eye monitoring is on the roadmap.
Google additionally confirmed off a depth impact for YouTube movies that gave movement parts—like camels operating or grass blowing within the wind – a slight 3D really feel. Nonetheless, some visible layering (like mountain peaks floating oddly forward of clouds) didn’t fairly land. The identical impact was utilized to nonetheless photos in Google Photographs, however these lacked emotional weight except the pictures had been private.
The place Undertaking Moohan stands out
@techradar
♬ unique sound – TechRadar
The standout characteristic to this point is the tight Gemini integration. It’s not only a software for management – it’s an AI-powered lens on the world round you, which makes the gadget really feel genuinely helpful and thrilling.
Importantly, Undertaking Moohan didn’t really feel burdensome to put on. Whereas neither Google nor Samsung has confirmed its weight – and sure, there’s a corded energy pack I slipped into my coat pocket – it remained snug throughout my brief time with it.
There’s nonetheless so much we have to study concerning the ultimate headset. Undertaking Moohan is predicted to launch by the top of 2025, however for now, it stays a prototype. Nonetheless, if Google will get the pricing proper and ensures a powerful lineup of apps, video games, and content material, this might be a compelling debut within the XR area.
Not like Google’s earlier Android XR glasses prototype, Undertaking Moohan feels way more tangible, with an precise launch window in sight.
I briefly tried these earlier glasses, however they had been extra like Gemini-on-your-face in a prototype type. Undertaking Moohan feels prefer it has legs. Let’s simply hope it lands on the proper worth level.
You may additionally like
{content material}
Supply: {feed_title}
