Samsung has secured a trademark with the UK’s Intellectual Property Office for ‘Samsung Glasses’, which could mean we’re finally seeing some movement from the South Korean tech giant to release an XR headset.
Filed in August and later entered into registry in November, the Samsung Glasses trademark specifies that it covers “Virtual reality headsets; Augmented reality headsets; Headphones; Smartphones; Smart glasses.” The news was first reported by UploadVR.
Samsung announced in February it was partnering with Google and Qualcomm to develop an XR device, something the company said at the time was “not too far away.” We’re still not sure what it will be other than hardware made by Samsung, software by Google, and chipset by Qualcomm.
While unconfirmed as a related device, only a short month later Samsung filed for the US trademark ‘Samsung Galaxy Glasses’. In its description, the US filing is said to cover the same categories as the UK trademark.
Granted, this is a pretty wide range of devices which span the entire XR gamut, although both proposed ‘Glasses’ monikers seem to imply it wouldn’t be a direct competitor to either Meta Quest 3 or the soon-to-release Apple Vision Pro, the $3,500 mixed reality headset which is set to launch sometime early next year.
Quest 3 (left) and Apple Vision Pro (right) | Based on images courtesy Meta, Apple
Vision Pro is well beyond the size of spectacles, so calling anything with that format would be an odd move. There are a few candidates though.
Something similar to Meta’s Smart Glasses from Ray-Ban could be more fitting to bear the ‘Samsung Glasses’ name. Confusingly enough, Meta Smart Glasses don’t have a display, instead packing in cameras, off-ear headphones, microphones, and voice access to Meta’s digital assistant.
Another option might be a device similar to XREAL’s Air 2 Pro, which packs in birdbath optics and micro-OLEDs for traditional content consumption, such as film, TV, and flatscreen video games.
A full-blown pair of all-day AR glasses is decidedly out of the picture though, as optics and battery technology (among other things) still aren’t at a point where they’d fit into a glasses format. These are problems that every major tech company in the XR space is working on currently, but it’s safe to say we’re years away from what many hope will be the next major computing platform.
Samsung’s upcoming XR headset, which is meant to compete with Apple Vision Pro, has been delayed by “one to two quarters” from its reported early 2024 release target, according to an SBS Biz (Korean) report.
The report maintains that Samsung Electronics recently notified its display manufacturing partners Samsung Display and China’s BOE that it’s postponing the release of “existing XR devices.”
Samsung was reportedly hoping to ready samples of the headset by year’s end, aiming to mass produce the device starting early next year. That’s apparently been delayed by about “one to two quarters,” or three to six months.
Quest 3 (left) and Apple Vision Pro (right) | Based on images courtesy Meta, Apple
SBS Biz cites an official familiar with Samsung’s internal affairs, maintaining the decision to delay was made in direct response to Apple Vision Pro, which was unveiled early last month during Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference.
“We decided to review all internal specifications and performance, such as the design and display of the new XR product,” the official told SBS Biz.
Provided the report holds true, it will be interesting to see Samsung shoot for the high-end, which is where Apple’s $3,500 mixed reality headset is undoubtedly headed when it launches sometime early next year. While it wasn’t clear when Samsung announced the headset earlier this year, it makes more sense the Korean tech giant would rather compete somewhere in the premium XR headset market with Apple than compete with Meta’s upcoming Quest 3 mixed reality headset, slated to launch in Fall 2023 for $500.
Samsung announced last month it was partnering with Google and Qualcomm to develop an XR device, something the company said at the time was “not too far away.” While we’re still left guessing as to what sort of headset the Korean tech giant has in store, a new trademark filing has come to light which may suggest the headset’s naming scheme.
As reported by 9to5Google, Samsung filed a trademark request with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on February 27th for the name ‘Galaxy Glasses’.
In its description, the trademark registration is said to cover the categories of “virtual reality headsets; Augmented reality headsets; Headphones; Smartphones; Smart glasses.”
According to a recent Washington Post interview with TM Roh, the president and head of Samsung’s mobile experience business, an upcoming Samsung XR device is “getting there, but we’re not too far away.”
Roh told WaPo that the XR headset’s chipset is going to be “a strategic collaboration with Qualcomm.” Google is building the software, while Samsung builds the hardware.
Provided the trademark isn’t just a defensive measure, and will actually be applied to a real product, Samsung would be pitching the proposed device as a part of its Galaxy line, which includes its smartphones, tablets, notebooks, smartwatches, and earbuds.
Notably, the company has never positioned its VR devices directly under its Galaxy branding, with Samsung Gear VR and its PC VR headset HMD Odyssey marketed separately from the Samsung mothership of mobile devices.
Smasung Odyssey+ | Image courtesy Samsung
It shouldn’t come as any real surprise the Korean tech giant is prepping XR hardware now. In 2021, two leaked videos surfaced featuring Samsung AR concept devices, although we haven’t heard anything since about the company’s XR ambitions until Samsung announced it was throwing its hat back in the game with Google and Qualcomm by its side.
Meanwhile, Apple’s rumored mixed reality headset is reportedly set to arrive sometime this year at around $3,000, with a lower-cost version of Apple’s mixed reality headset reportedly set to follow sometime in 2024 or early 2025.
And although Apple is largely seen as the most present threat, Meta recently released word it is not only prepping an enthusiast-targeted Quest 3 headset for release this year, and a “more accessible” consumer version in 2024, but possibly another ‘Pro’ branded Quest headset “way out in the future,” Mark Rabki, Meta’s VP of VR, allegedly told thousands of employees in a memo last week.
Samsung’s 2023 Unpacked event was all about the company’s Galaxy S23 hardware, although at the end of its hour-long presentation the South Korean tech giant announced it was working with Qualcomm and Google to develop an XR device.
TM Roh, Samsung’s president and head of mobile experiences, didn’t reveal any more than what was said on stage, namely the existence of the partnership itself, however speaking to The Washington Post he announced the companies are “getting there,” and that the XR device was “not too far away.”
It’s not clear what sort of device it will be, since ‘XR’ essentially covers the entire gamut of immersive headsets, including augmented reality (e.g. HoloLens), virtual reality (e.g. Meta Quest 2), and mixed reality (e.g. Meta Quest Pro). Our best bet though is on a standalone MR headset, which uses passthrough cameras to layer computer-generated visuals on top of the user’s physical space, essentially replicating the experience you might have on a see-through AR display, albeit on a VR device.
As you’d imagine, Qualcomm is tasked with building the XR device’s chipset, while Samsung will manufacture the headset’s hardware. Software will be provided by Google; WaPo reports it will be running on “the unannounced version of the Android operating system meant specifically to power devices such as wearable displays.”
With the exception of Qualcomm, which not only produces XR-specific chipsets but also regularly shows of its own XR headset references, both Samsung and Google’s commitment to the project are kind of a long-awaited homecoming.
Samsung was one of the first truly massive tech companies to develop VR hardware. Starting in 2014, the company partnered with Meta (then Oculus) on the Samsung Gear VR platform, which paired the Galaxy Note 4 phone with a headset shell sporting an optimized intertidal Measurment unit (IMU). Samsung Gear VR was essentially the first high-quality 3DOF mobile VR experience offered to consumers, marking a stark departure from the sort VR experiences you could find on Google’s more open, but decidedly lower-quality Cardboard platform.
Notably, Samsung hasn’t released a VR product since the launch of the PC VR headset Odyssey+. Like seemingly all big tech firms these days, it appears to be working on AR glasses.
Smasung Odyssey+ | Image courtesy Samsung
Google, although reportedly also working on AR device, similarly shelved its VR ambitions when it discontinued its standalone Daydream platform in 2019, something which at the time was essentially the nail in the company’s Android VR coffin. Google previously worked with Lenovo in 2018 to produce its first and only standalone Daydream VR headset, the Lenovo Mirage Solo, which offered 6DOF room-scale tracking while providing only a single 3DOF clicker-style controller.
Since then, Google has only really been vocal about its experimental system for immersive video chatting, Project Starline, which lets people engage in face-to-face video chats without needing an AR or VR headset.
Typically, we’d say Mobile World Congress 2023 would be the next logical place to share more info about the XR hardware partnership. Samsung, Qualcomm and Google will all be present, so we may just learn more there when the week-long event kicks off in Barcelona, Spain on February 27th.
Ahead of CES next week, Samsung today announced its expanded U.S. Bespoke appliance lineup for 2022, including the first-ever Bespoke French Door refrigerator, Bespoke Family Hub™, Bespoke kitchen package, and Bespoke Jet™ vacuum cleaner. Samsung is also expanding Bespoke to the laundry room for the first time with the all-new Bespoke Washer and Dryer.
The new line represents the very best of Samsung, pairing customizable designs with unique technologies that together inspire entirely new ways of living. With the Bespoke refrigerator as a centerpiece, consumers will be able to customize their décor to complement their personal style, with kitchen packages that include dishwashers, ranges and over-the-range microwaves in white, navy or green. Beyond the kitchen, the Bespoke Jet™ vacuum cleaner brings powerful cleaning performance and elegance to the living room, while the Bespoke Washer and Dryer make laundry routines intelligent and easy.
The full Bespoke lineup will be unveiled and on display at CES 2022.
You can find additional details on this announcement and these new products in the press release below, as well as assets to download on the Samsung Newsroom here. And you can check out the current Bespoke product lineup here. Let me know if you have any questions and if you’re planning to cover the news.
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Samsung Electronics Announces First Bespoke French Door, Expanding Bespoke Refrigerator Lineup
Samsung’s CES 2022 showcase to highlight first-ever Bespoke French Door refrigerator, Bespoke kitchen package, Bespoke Jet™ vacuum cleaner and Bespoke Washer and Dryer
December 28, 2021 – Samsung Electronics today announced its first-ever Bespoke French Door refrigerator, to be unveiled at CES 2022, bringing Bespoke to nearly every major refrigerator type sold in the United States.
Available in a choice of 3-door, 4-door and Family Hub™ models, the new Bespoke French Door refrigerator expands Samsung’s Bespoke lineup. At CES 2022, Samsung is set to display a full array of Bespoke appliances, including new products such as the Bespoke Jet™ cordless stick vacuum cleaner and the Bespoke Washer and Dryer, bringing Bespoke to the rest of the home.
The new line represents the very best of Samsung, pairing customizable designs with unique technologies that together inspire entirely new ways of living. With the Bespoke refrigerator as a centerpiece, consumers will be able to customize their décor to complement their personal style, with kitchen packages that include dishwashers, ranges and over-the-range microwaves in white, navy or green. Beyond the kitchen, the Bespoke Jet™ vacuum cleaner brings powerful cleaning performance and elegance to the living room, while the Bespoke Washer and Dryer make laundry routines intelligent and easy.
“The Bespoke concept was not just designed for the kitchen. We believe that consumers should have the freedom to customize their entire home to match their lifestyle needs,” said Kanghyup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Sales and Marketing of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “This expansion of the lineup empowers consumers to create living spaces that truly reflect their tastes and aesthetics — using Samsung’s meaningful innovations and technology.”
Bespoke French Door Refrigerator
Available in a range of sizes, configurations and colors, Samsung’s Bespoke French Door refrigerator brings Bespoke customization and a sleek flat-front design to the U.S. consumers’ most preferred refrigerator type. Expanding on the existing Bespoke refrigerator lineup, which includes the Bespoke 4-Door Flex™, Bespoke 2-Door Bottom Freezer and Bespoke 1-Door Flex Column, this latest addition ensures that there is a Bespoke refrigerator option to suit every family’s needs. The Bespoke French Door refrigerator will be available in 3-door and 4-door configurations — in both full and counter-depth models — and includes options featuring the upgraded Family Hub™ for 2022.
With 12 colors and two finishes — glass and steel — to choose from, the Bespoke French Door refrigerator features thousands of color combinations. In glass, new colors include White, Gray, Pink, Charcoal, Morning Blue, Clementine and Sunrise Yellow. In a steel finish, new colors include Tuscan, Matte Black, Navy, Emerald Green and Stainless Steel.
To help families better store and preserve their meals, the Bespoke French Door refrigerator comes packed with Samsung’s latest storage and cooling innovations. The Beverage Center™ and Dual Auto Ice Maker give users quick access to cold drinks, while the FlexZone™ keeps ingredients at the optimal temperature to ensure they stay fresh.
With a wide range of smart features, Family Hub™ brings entertainment into the kitchen and helps families stay organized and connected. In 2022, Family Hub™ will support Samsung TV Plus, providing free TV content and seamless continuous viewing experiences with other screens like Samsung Smart TVs and Galaxy devices.
Family Hub™ for 2022 will also support Alexa in select regions, meaning consumers can access various Amazon services, including Amazon Music and smart water filter reordering services, on their refrigerators. View Inside has also been upgraded with internal camera technology for utilizing information on food labels, allowing families to view fridge contents, manage expiration dates, and more.
Bespoke Jet™
First introduced at Bespoke Home 2021 and coming to global markets in 2022, the Bespoke Jet™ cordless stick vacuum cleaner brings Bespoke innovation into the living room.
Featuring Samsung’s All-in-One Clean Station™, the Bespoke Jet™ takes the chore out of keeping your home clean and hygienic. Once they are done cleaning, users can simply dock the vacuum cleaner and it will automatically empty the dust bag and begin to charge.
The Bespoke Jet™ also features a modern, premium design that is powerful yet light, and built to offer families a comprehensive cleaning solution. It provides 210W1 of suction power and uses a multi-layered filtration system to trap 99.999 percent of fine dust,2 delivering a more powerful yet simpler cleaning experience to the contemporary home.
The Bespoke Jet™ is available in Midnight Blue, Misty White and Woody Green — colors that allow users to place their vacuum cleaner where they like without disrupting their living space’s overall décor.
Bespoke Washer and Dryer
Designed to introduce Bespoke to the laundry room, the Bespoke Washer and Dryer include cutting-edge smart features that make doing laundry more intuitive and efficient. Both devices feature a flat-front design and are available in multiple color options, including black and navy.
By learning usage patterns and laundry routines, the AI-powered Smart Dial prioritizes frequently used settings, minimizing work and simplifying the washing and drying process. Meanwhile, the intelligent AI OptiWash™ function optimizes wash settings as well as time and detergent levels for each load, taking the guesswork out of laundry. With MultiControl™, users can easily use both the smart washer and dryer from the washer control panel when units are stacked.
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