Samsung officially dropped the first look at the Galaxy XR. At the same time, Google debuted the Android XR operating system that will power the upcoming XR devices from Samsung such as headset, smart glasses, and more.

Codenamed Project Moohan (infinity in Korea) is set to be released in 2025. Samsung Galaxy XR runs Android XR and includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) as well as other similar technologies yet to be developed.

From the Galaxy ecosystem and Google’s suite of apps to partnerships with third-party developers, every XR interaction will be incredibly enriched. – Samsung.

Galaxy XR – Project Moohan | Credits: Samsung

Samsung says eXtended reality (XR) transforms how we engage with the world around us. The company reiterated that it’s working with Qualcomm and Google to elevate the XR segment to deliver exceptional experiences to consumers.

Galaxy XR unites forward-thinking ideas with industry-leading expertise. The device will offer a robust and scalable platform that offers a wide range of content. It will also be equipped with Galaxy AI to level up experiences further.

Android XR

Following Samsung’s Galaxy XR unveil, Google announced the launch of Android XR. The company says the development of the Android XR platform is underway in close cooperation with Samsung and Qualcomm.

Google says Android XR is built for the next generation of computing, which combines years of investment in AI, AR, and VR. The new operating system will power future headsets and glasses from Samsung, starting in 2025.

Android XR | Credits: Google

Developers can now start building apps and games for upcoming Android XR devices. Google also confirmed to soon kick off real-world testing of prototype glasses running Android XR with a small group of users. Here are the key features:

Users can fill their space with apps and content, enhanced by Gemini, an AI assistant:

• Gemini enables conversations about what you’re seeing or device control.
• It understands intent to assist with planning, research, and tasks.

Android XR Interface | Credits: Google

Reimagined Google apps for headsets include:

• YouTube and Google TV for a virtual big-screen experience.
• Google Photos in 3D for reliving cherished memories.
• Google Maps with Immersive View to explore cities and landmarks.
• Chrome with multiple virtual screens for seamless multitasking.
• Circle to Search for quick information retrieval via gestures.

Android compatibility ensures mobile and tablet apps from Google Play work immediately. More apps, games, and immersive XR content are arriving next year.

Samsung’s One UI 7 Beta update is currently available for the Galaxy S24 series, bringing a fresh design and new features. However, Beta testers are facing issues with Good Lock as certain Good Lock modules are not working properly after the One UI 7 Beta. Here’s why these apps are not working.

Good Lock app lets Galaxy users change various parts of the phone’s interface, like the lock screen, quick settings, themes, and multitasking features. But with the new One UI 7 Beta, some of its customization features aren’t working as expected. This is because Good Lock modules are not yet fully compatible with the new Android 15-based One UI 7 Beta software.

Samsung has acknowledged these incompatibility issues and confirmed that some popular apps, including Good Lock, are unavailable or not functioning well in the beta phase. This is because the apps need time to be updated for the new software.

Moreover, a Samsung community moderator has assured users that the compatibility issues will be fixed in the stable version of One UI 7, which will be available soon. It means that Good Lock modules will work properly with the stable update.

Notably, the Good Guardian app recently received support for One UI 7. However, it is not confirmed yet whether it works properly with the Beta update. Users can expect a smoother experience once the final update is released.

For now, those using the One UI 7 Beta on their Galaxy S24 should be prepared for some limitations with Good Lock. But once the official One UI 7 update arrives, these issues will be resolved, and users can enjoy the full customization options of Good Lock. Stay tuned for more information.

Samsung’s One UI 7 Beta lacks support for certain apps

Today, Samsung unveils its new Galaxy Book 5 Pro at the AI PC market at Samsung Gangnam. It marks the first global release in the domestic market due to high interest in AI-powered PCs. This device will be released in Korea on January 2, 2025.

Samsung Galaxy Book 5 Pro will be available in two sizes, 14-inch (35.6 cm) and 16-inch (40.6 cm), and in two colors – gray and silver. This laptop is packed with AI-powered features, including Galaxy AI and Microsoft’s Copilot+ PC. Notably, Copilot+ PC will be rolled out in future updates to bring even more AI features to the laptop.

The latest AI-powered Laptop has high resolution Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, featuring a Vision Booster and an anti-reflection panel. It delivers rich sound with Dolby Atmos and offers up to 25 hours of battery life.

The laptop runs on the new Intel Core Ultra Processor Series 2 (codenamed Luna Lake), with NPU that can perform up to 47 trillion operations per second. It comes with an AI Select feature, which lets users search for images or text by simply drawing a circle on the touchscreen.

Moreover, you can also extract text from images and even interact with QR codes just by drawing circles on them. The Photo Remaster function uses the NPU to improve old or low-quality photos to make them clearer and sharper.

Furthermore, it supports features like Quick Share, Multi Control, and Second Screen to allow easy connections and seamless control between devices.

Ahead of the Galaxy Book 5 Pro launch in Korea, Samsung will organize a ‘Galaxy Academy Festa’ notification application event on Samsung.com from December 16 to December 31.

The Korean tech giant is offering a discount coupon to customers who sign up for notifications on Samsung.com, valid from January 2 to March 31, 2025.