Google AR Headset Reportedly Planned for 2024

Google's Imminent Entry into the AR Headset Market

It would hardly be unexpected at this juncture if Google were developing its own augmented reality (AR) headset. A recent report from The Verge indicates the company is aiming for a 2024 release date for this new hardware endeavor. This move is intended to directly challenge competitors like Meta and Apple, with the latter having long been speculated to be involved in this technological space.

Leveraging Cloud Processing and Connectivity

The report draws from both internal sources and analysis of current job postings. These suggest a device powered by a novel operating system and a custom-designed chip – similar to the approach taken with recent Pixel phones. A key aspect of the design involves offloading some processing tasks to remote servers.

This strategy mirrors Google’s previous cloud gaming initiative, Stadia, which received a rather muted response from the public. The headset would likely depend on either a 5G connection or a link to a connected smartphone for this functionality. Addressing latency issues will be crucial, particularly for a device intended for use outside of a controlled environment.

Past AR Ventures and Lessons Learned

Google’s history with AR and virtual reality (VR) has been characterized by mixed results. The original Google Glass was discontinued in 2015, just under a year after its public release.

Factors contributing to its failure included high pricing and limited practical applications. It’s widely believed the product was introduced prematurely, well ahead of widespread consumer demand.

A Shift Towards Enterprise Solutions

Subsequently, Google refocused its AR efforts with the Google Glass Enterprise Edition. This approach aligns more closely with Microsoft’s strategy in the extended reality (XR) sector, exemplified by the HoloLens.

While AR hasn’t yet achieved mainstream adoption, Microsoft has secured notable success through substantial partnerships, such as the $22 billion contract with the U.S. Army for 120,000 headsets.

Project Iris and Future Ambitions

Internally, Google’s AR project, known as Project Iris, remains under tight wraps. CEO Sundar Pichai has been notably reserved when discussing the company’s future plans in the AR domain.

“We have deeply focused on thinking through computing for the long term,” Pichai stated during a recent earnings call. “We’ve talked about ambient computing, and it’s just a matter of time before, you know, beyond phones, you’ll see other successful form factors. And AR is an exciting part of that future.”

Positioning for Growth in the AR Market

It’s evident that Google anticipates significant growth in the AR market and intends to secure a substantial share. Despite past setbacks, the company possesses the resources and expertise to potentially deliver a compelling product.

This could move augmented reality beyond large-scale enterprise deployments and bring it to a wider consumer audience.

We have contacted Google for a statement regarding this report.