We thought Project Iris was on hold, but in fact it would still be relevant for Google. New elements unearthed by 9to5Google tend to show that a mixed reality headset would be in development, in order to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro.
Have you ever heard of Project Iris? This is a project built around a mixed reality headset from Google, the first reports of which date back to January 2022. For more than a year, little information about it has leaked, until Business Insider puts it back on the table in June 2023.
Iris was (re)seen
According to the media, Google has put the famous Project Iris on hold, to better focus its efforts on the development of a new software platform, internally called “Betty”. Except that new elements unearthed by 9to5Google in the latest beta of the Google application tend to think the opposite.
The mention “iris” is explicitly written, alongside more precise uses. For example, it would not be necessary to say “Hey Google” to access the voice assistant. Instead, just press and hold on your right temple, explains 9to5Googlewhich ensures that this gesture absolutely does not refer to the Sony LinkBuds, which also offer this function.
The Assistant at the heart of the experience
Brought to compete with Apple’s Vision Pro, this headset would also allow you to call friends or even set timers, we can read. Google’s voice assistant is likely to be at the heart of the experience. Brief, 9to5Google provides interesting details on the ins and outs of this project, even if many gray areas persist.
However, let’s try not to get carried away too quickly. Many Google projects were definitively nipped in the bud, or even abandoned post-launch. This “evidence” provided by the American media in any case fuels the hope of one day seeing the arrival of a successful and advanced mixed reality device from Google.