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Google reportedly making its own AR headset, like Microsoft’s HoloLens
- According to rumor, there’s a Google AR headset in development, codenamed Google A65.
- The headset will likely be akin to Microsoft’s $5,000 HoloLens, which enables you to interact with mixed reality environments.
- Little is known about the A65, but Qualcomm, Quanta, and Meta might all be involved.
Virtual reality headsets are all the rage right now, like with the HTC Vive, the Oculus Go, and Lenovo’s recent partnership with Google, the Mirage Solo. However, these headsets immerse you in a virtual world; it might be based on reality, but it is not your reality.
The Microsoft HoloLens is built with augmented reality in mind. Using the HoloLens, you can move while viewing the real world around you, while simultaneously seeing 3D digital imagery. This creates what is called “mixed reality,” where you interact with both real-world and artificial elements at the same time. Check out the video below to see how it works.
Right now, Microsoft’s $5,000 HoloLens is the only device on the market that offers an untethered mixed reality experience (that’s for the Enterprise model; there is no consumer edition yet). However, it looks like Google, via WinFuture, is developing a mixed reality headset of its own, codenamed the Google A65.
Little is known about the A65, but WinFuture does have a few details. First, like the HoloLens, the A65 will likely offer a wireless experience, enabling you to wear the headset and walk freely around your home, office, or even outside.
Next, the A65 will likely have some sort of Qualcomm processor. It is not entirely clear whether the processor will be an existing chip that Qualcomm makes or a new, unique processor just for the A65. The rumor is that the A65 processor will be based on the QSC603, which is specifically for “Internet of Things” hardware. That seems unlikely, but either way, Qualcomm is reportedly involved.
Third, the Taiwanese manufacturer Quanta is allegedly involved in the creation of the A65 as well. You might remember Quanta as the company that helped Google develop the Pixel C Android tablet.
Finally, Quanta is also involved with a company called Meta in the development of something called the A66. Meta already makes mixed reality headsets, like the Meta 2. Could the A66 be similar to the A65? It’s hard to say anything at this point.
It makes sense that Google would want to make true mixed-reality hardware since it already tried (and failed) with Google Glass. This A65 unit could be the evolution of the Glass experience into something more powerful and useful. Time will tell how this all plays out.