Qualcomm says it's working on mixed reality smart glasses with Samsung and Google
Google, Samsung and Qualcomm's smart glasses would be a different approach from Apple's Vision Pro.
Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon told CNBC the chip designer is working with Samsung and Google to explore a mixed-reality set of glasses linked to a smartphone — taking a different approach from Apple, which launched a larger headset.
Last year, Google, Samsung and Qualcomm struck a partnership to develop mixed-reality technology. That refers to the combination of augmented and virtual reality, often involving digital images that are imposed over the real world in front of you.
I like the RayBan ones from Meta
Have you tried them?
Yes the Meta 2 and 3 as well as the Meta RayBan smart glasses. I was doing audits for Meta on how those products were being sold. You can keep the VR and AR headsets but the smartglasses were pretty cool. It helps they were the Wayfarer model I used to wear as sunglasses.
Yeah I think the headsets still need a lot of work before they are ready for mass adoption.
Yes they really are , they are not very comfortable, not really in fashion here anymore.
It will be interesting to see what eventually replaces the smartphone.
Oh yes just how far will it go
Amon's comments are among the first to shed light on the project.
"It's going to be a new product, it's going to be new experiences," Amon said, discussing what will come out the mixed reality partnership.
"But what I really expect to come out of this partnership, I want everyone that has a phone to go buy companion glasses to go along with it," Amon added.
Samsung and Google were not immediately available for comment when contacted by CNBC.
The CEO referenced Facebook-parent Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, which look like regular shades but are wirelessly linked to a smartphone and have an in-built camera. On top of that, they have a voice assistant powered by Meta's Llama artificial intelligence model.
Qualcomm has also made mixed reality a key target area, as it diversifies its business beyond smartphones. The company has a chip called the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1, designed for smart glasses.
Qualcomm has been touting the fact that its various chips across smartphones and PCs allow AI applications to run on the device, rather than being processed in the cloud via the internet.