‘Apple Vision Pro’ scheduled to be released in Korea… Samsung accelerates expansion of XR ecosystem with ‘AI’ at the forefront

[아이뉴스24 권용삼 기자] While Apple officially launches the extended reality (XR) headset ‘Vision Pro’ in the domestic market on the 15th, Samsung Electronics is also planning to release the developer version of the XR device it is developing in cooperation with Qualcomm and Google next year with the goal of releasing it as early as this year. It is argued that this can be done, and competition for market leadership in the future appears to be in full swing.

In particular, regarding the XR business, Tae-moon Roh, President of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Experience (MX) Business Department, officially announced the release of the XR platform within the year at the ‘Galaxy Unpack’ held in Paris, France in the second half of this year, and recently attended the ‘Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit 2024’ to promote the XR ecosystem. The company is adding strength to this outlook by successively announcing plans to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

Apple ‘Vision Pro’ product image. [사진=애플]

◇ ‘Space computer’ beyond a simple XR device… “You can operate the app just by holding two fingers together.”

According to the industry on the 11th, Apple plans to officially launch ‘Vision Pro’ in Korea on the 15th. Apple previously unveiled the product for the first time at the Annual Developer Conference (WWDC) in June last year, and has been sequentially introducing it around the world since the beginning of this year.

At the time of its release, it was emphasized that it was a ‘spatial computer’ with a new form factor beyond a simple XR device, so ‘Vision Pro’ can use virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content and services on the front display that fills the field of view.

For example, users can interact with an app by simply looking at it and tapping with two fingers, dictating text using their voice, or typing using a virtual keyboard. You can also ask Siri, the voice assistant, to open and close apps or play media, and ask questions to get answers.

In addition, through the infinite canvas that makes full use of virtual space, various apps can be used in various sizes beyond the limitations of the physical screen, and multiple apps can be viewed side by side.

In addition, micro organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology is used to pack 23 million pixels across two displays, providing more pixels per eye than a 4K TV. The advanced spatial sound system uses two individually amplified drivers. You can also use a high-performance eye tracking system and an EyeSight function that allows you to see your surroundings while wearing Vision Pro.

‘Vision Pro’ can be purchased at all domestic Apple stores and online app stores, and is available in storage capacities of 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. The factory price starts at 4.99 million won. You also have the opportunity to experience Vision Pro for 30 minutes at an offline store by making an online reservation.

Samsung Electronics’ MX Business Division President Noh Tae-moon, Qualcomm President Cristiano Amon, and Google Senior Vice President Hiroshi Rockheimer are speaking at ‘Galaxy Unpack 2023’ held at the Masonic Auditorium in San Francisco in February last year. [사진=삼성전자]

◇Samsung established the ‘XR Triangular Alliance’… Expanding the ecosystem by incorporating ‘Galaxy AI’

Samsung Electronics also declared an ‘XR triangular alliance’ with Google and Qualcomm at the ‘Galaxy Unpack’ held in the United States in February last year, and Tae-moon Noh, head of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile Experience (MX) Business Division (President), held a meeting in Paris, France in July. At the ‘Galaxy Unpack’ held in the second half of the year, the company said, “We will prepare ecosystem-related parts and open the platform within this year,” and is speeding up related projects.

In particular, President Roh recently attended the ‘Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit 2024’ held in Hawaii, USA and said, “Galaxy AI is already changing the way people communicate and create,” adding, “It is not limited to smartphones, but AI PCs, tablets, and watches. , it is expanding to various devices and categories such as rings,” he said.

He continued, “Now is the time to see the benefits of AI through a new lens (perspective),” and added, “This will be achieved through the innovative XR ecosystem.” Accordingly, efforts are being made to expand the related ecosystem and enhance consumer convenience by linking XR devices with ‘Galaxy AI’.

In fact, Samsung Electronics said in a conference call held after announcing its third quarter earnings this year, “Next year, we will provide a richer experience in the Galaxy ecosystem by strengthening connectivity between products, including XR.”

In addition, unlike Apple’s ‘Vision Pro’, which is criticized by consumers for its uncomfortable fit and high price, Samsung Electronics is focusing on ‘popularizing XR devices’ and is speeding up the development of ‘XR smart glasses’ that can be linked to smartphones. . The actual weight of the Vision Pro is 600-650g, which is actually a failing grade in terms of fit and portability. The high price of $3,500 is also one of the reasons why it was ignored by consumers.

Qualcomm Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Cristiano Amon, who previously cooperated with Samsung, said in an interview with CNBC last September, “We are developing smart glasses connected to smartphones with Samsung and Google,” adding, “These will be equipped with AI and use the cloud.” “We expect everyone with a mobile phone to purchase glasses,” he said.

Accordingly, Samsung appears to be making efforts to acquire related patents. Sam Mobile, an overseas IT media outlet, reported last month that Samsung Electronics applied for a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) titled ‘Method and System for Grouping Multiple AR Glasses.’

Most XR devices such as XR headsets and glasses that have been released so far allow only the user to experience the virtual reality world. Therefore, even if two or more users were physically in the same space, they could not share the experience with other users around them and could only stay in their own virtual reality environment.

On the other hand, Samsung’s patented technology connects multiple XR glasses to one mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet to share the same XR experience with other users. This grouping feature allows users to connect their devices with other people’s XR devices to view and interact with the same virtual reality as others.

An example of a grouping patent technology applied by Samsung Electronics to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office that links smartphones and XR glasses to allow users to communicate with each other in the same cyberspace. [사진=미국 특허청]

In addition, last September, overseas IT media outlet Online Solitaire reported that Samsung Electronics had applied for a patent for an advanced fingerprint security system that uses XR devices to prevent fingerprint data theft. The patent utilizes technology that allows XR glasses to detect fingerprint residue left on the screen of devices that use fingerprint security, such as smartphones. Through this, the XR glasses compare the fingerprint residue left on the screen with the owner’s stored fingerprint to help determine whether someone else has attempted fingerprint recognition.

Google is also preparing to update its smartphone app market, Google Play Store, ahead of the launch of Samsung Electronics’ XR device. American IT media Android Authority recently analyzed the code of Google Play Store version 43.3.32-31 and reported that it confirmed that a list of apps supporting XR devices and related icons were added. Additionally, if the app is not compatible with the XR device, a message has been added to the Play Store saying, “This XR device is not compatible with the app.”

An industry official said, “At the beginning of this year, many global big tech companies judged the XR market to be a new growth area and expressed their intention to enter the market, but due to uncomfortable wearability, high prices, and lack of dedicated content, the consumer market excluding industrial use was limited. In the case of , popularization is slow,” he explained. “Samsung also appears to be paying attention to various aspects taking this into account. In particular, it appears to be working to create an ecosystem through the XR platform, exclusive games, and video content.”

Meanwhile, according to market research firm Statista, the global XR market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 9% from $35.1 billion (approximately 48.2 trillion won) this year to $53.8 billion (approximately 74 trillion won) in 2029.

/Reporter Kwon Yong-sam ([email protected])