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Qualcomm has announced an exciting collaboration with industry giants Samsung and Google to develop a new generation of mixed reality smart glasses. This innovative project aims to extend the functionality of smartphones into the realm of augmented and virtual reality, offering users a seamless and immersive experience.
Qualcomm’s CEO, Cristiano Amon, revealed details of the collaboration during an interview with CNBC, highlighting the company’s commitment to pioneering mixed reality technologies. “It’s going to be a new product, it’s going to be new experiences,” Amon said, emphasizing the goal of making these smart glasses a companion device for every smartphone user.
Unlike the larger headsets introduced by competitors like Apple, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Google are focusing on a more user-friendly form factor—smart glasses that are as stylish and comfortable as traditional eyewear. This approach addresses common consumer concerns about the convenience and comfort of current AR and VR solutions, potentially revolutionizing how consumers interact with digital content.
The initiative builds on Qualcomm’s extensive expertise in chip manufacturing, particularly the Snapdragon AR1 Gen 1 chip designed specifically for smart glasses. This collaboration also leverages Samsung’s leading-edge display technology and Google’s software prowess, ensuring that the end product will not only be innovative but also grounded in quality and functionality.
AI integration will play a significant role in the operation of these smart glasses, with applications running both on the device and in the cloud. “AI is going to run on the device. It’s going to run on the cloud. It’s going to run some in the glass, some in the phone, but at the end of the day, there’s going to be whole new experiences,” Amon added.
Despite the current market for VR and AR headsets being significantly smaller than that for smartphones, Qualcomm and its partners are optimistic about the adoption of their mixed reality glasses. The goal is to make the glasses as commonplace as regular sunglasses, thereby achieving scale and widespread consumer acceptance.
