TL;DR
- Google has scrapped its plans for next-gen augmented actuality glasses.
- The corporate has determined to pivot to creating software program platforms for AR as a substitute.
- Google workers have been reportedly annoyed with leaders regularly altering the technique for the venture.
At the moment, 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 known as Challenge Iris. But it surely seems Google has now bowed out of that race after canceling the venture.
Particulars about Challenge Iris first emerged in a report from The Verge in January 2022. The system was described as an AR system resembling a pair of ski goggles. Nonetheless, that individual system occurred to be a separate AR venture in partnership with Samsung — which was introduced earlier this yr. The actual Challenge Iris was as a substitute a sequence of merchandise resembling a pair of glasses.
In keeping with 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 sensible glasses firm known as North in 2020. It even publically demoed the gadget’s translation talents.
Nonetheless, the system was placed on the again burner following layoffs, reshuffles, and the departure of Google’s chief of augmented and digital actuality, in response to the outlet’s sources. The sources say that workers grew annoyed with management as they routinely modified the technique for Iris, requiring the workers to repeatedly pivot.
Now it seems the Mountain View-based group is shifting away from {hardware} growth and is shifting its focus to AR software program growth. We reported in Could 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 units, because it does with its cellular OS.
Whereas it seems to be prefer it’s the tip for Google’s AR glasses for now, two workers reportedly stated the corporate might resurrect Challenge Iris at some point. 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 resolution may even see the corporate fall behind its opponents within the area. Nonetheless, Google additionally took its time with the event of the Pixel Fold.
