Google and Samsung’s Venture Moohan Android XR headset isn’t solely new – my colleague Lance Ulanoff already broke down what we knew about it back in December 2024. However till now, nobody at TechRadar had the possibility to attempt it out.
That modified shortly after Sundar Pichai stepped off the Google I/O 2025 stage. I had a short however revealing seven-minute demo with the headset.
After scanning my prescription lenses and matching them with a suitable set from Google, they have been inserted into the Venture Moohan headset, and I used to be rapidly immersed in a fast-paced demonstration.
It wasn’t a full expertise – extra a fast style of what Google’s Android XR platform is shaping as much as be, and really a lot on the other finish of the spectrum in comparison with the polished demo of the Apple Vision Pro I skilled at WWDC 2023.
Venture Moohan itself feels much like the Imaginative and prescient Professional in some ways, although it’s clearly a bit much less premium. However one side stood out above all: the combination of Google Gemini.
“Hey Gemini, what tree am I taking a look at?”
Similar to Gemini Live on an Android just like the Pixel 9 – Google’s AI assistant takes middle stage in Venture Moohan. The launcher contains two rows of core Google apps – Photographs, Chrome, YouTube, Maps, Gmail, and extra—with a devoted icon for Gemini on the prime.
You choose icons by urgent your thumb and forefinger collectively, mimicking the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional’s predominant management. As soon as activated, the acquainted Gemini Stay backside bar seems. Because of the headset’s built-in cameras, Gemini can see what you’re seeing.
Within the press lounge on the Shoreline Amphitheater, I checked out a close-by tree and requested, “Hey Gemini, what tree is that this?” It rapidly recognized a kind of sycamore and supplied a number of information. The entire interplay felt easy and surprisingly pure.
You may also grant Gemini entry to what’s in your display, turning it right into a hands-free controller for the XR expertise. I requested it to drag up a map of Asbury Park, New Jersey, then launched into immersive view – successfully dropping right into a full 3D rendering akin to Google Earth. Decreasing my head gave me a transparent view beneath, and pinching and dragging helped me navigate round.
I jumped to a restaurant in Manhattan, requested Gemini to indicate inside pictures, and adopted up by requesting critiques. Gemini responded with related YouTube movies of the eatery. It was a compelling multi-step AI demo – and it labored impressively effectively.
That’s to not say the whole lot was flawless. There have been a number of slowdowns, however Gemini was simply the spotlight of the expertise. I got here away wanting extra time with it.
{Hardware} impressions
Although I solely wore the headset briefly, it was evident that whereas it shares some design cues with the Imaginative and prescient Professional, Venture Moohan is noticeably lighter – although not as high-end in really feel.
After inserting the lenses, I put the headset on like a visor—the display in entrance, and the again strap over my head. A dial on the rear let me tighten the match simply. Urgent the ability button on prime adjusted the lenses to my eyes robotically, with an inside mechanism that subtly repositioned them inside seconds.
From there, I used the primary management gesture – rotating my hand and tapping thumb to forefinger – to carry up the launcher. That gesture appears to be the first interface for now.
Google talked about eye monitoring can be supported, however I didn’t get to attempt it throughout this demo. As an alternative, I used hand monitoring to navigate, which, as somebody conversant in the Imaginative and prescient Professional, felt barely unintuitive. I’m glad eye monitoring is on the roadmap.
Google additionally confirmed off a depth impact for YouTube movies that gave movement parts—like camels operating or grass blowing within the wind – a slight 3D really feel. Nevertheless, some visible layering (like mountain peaks floating oddly forward of clouds) didn’t fairly land. The identical impact was utilized to nonetheless pictures in Google Photos, however these lacked emotional weight except the pictures have been private.
The place Venture Moohan stands out
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The standout characteristic to date is the tight Gemini integration. It’s not only a device for management – it’s an AI-powered lens on the world round you, which makes the system really feel genuinely helpful and thrilling.
Importantly, Venture Moohan didn’t really feel burdensome to put on. Whereas neither Google nor Samsung has confirmed its weight – and sure, there’s a corded energy pack I slipped into my coat pocket – it remained snug throughout my quick time with it.
There’s nonetheless quite a bit we have to study in regards to the last headset. Venture Moohan is predicted to launch by the top of 2025, however for now, it stays a prototype. Nonetheless, if Google will get the pricing proper and ensures a robust lineup of apps, video games, and content material, this might be a compelling debut within the XR area.
Not like Google’s earlier Android XR glasses prototype, Venture Moohan feels much more tangible, with an precise launch window in sight.
I briefly tried these earlier glasses, however they have been extra like Gemini-on-your-face in a prototype type. Venture Moohan feels prefer it has legs. Let’s simply hope it lands on the proper value level.
