The Google and Samsung Moohan Android XR project to the headphones is not entirely new: my colleague Lance Ulanoff already broken down what we knew about it in December 2024. But so far, no one in Techrarradar had the opportunity to try it.
That changed shortly after L sundaria Pichai left the Google I/O 2025 stage. I had a brief but revealing seven minutes demonstration with the headphones.
After scanning my prescription lenses and matching a compatible Google set, they were inserted into the Project Moohan headphones, and quickly immersed myself in a quick rhythm demonstration.
It was not a complete experience: plus a rapid flavor of what Google’s Android XR platform is emerging, and at the opposite end of the spectrum compared to the polished demonstration of Apple Vision Pro that I experienced on WWDC 2023.
Project Moohan feels similar to vision pro in many ways, although it is clearly a little less premium. But one aspect stood out above all: the integration of Google Gemini.
“Hello Gemini, what tree are I looking?”
Like Gemini Live on an Android like Pixel 9, Google’s assistant takes the center of the stage in Project Moohan. The pitcher includes two rows of the Core Google applications (photos, chrome, youtube, maps, gmail and more) with a dedicated icon for Gemini at the top.
Select icons by pressing the thumb and index finger, imitating the main control of Apple Vision Pro. Once activated, the relative bar Gemini Live Bottom appears. Thanks to the built -in headset cameras, Gemini can see what you are seeing.
In the press room at the coast amphitheater, I looked at a nearby tree and asked: “Hello Gemini, what tree is this?” He quickly identified a type of sicomor and provided some facts. All interaction felt soft and surprisingly natural.
You can also give Gemini access to what is on your screen, making it a hands -free controller for the XR experience. I asked him to raise an Asbury Park map, New Jersey, then launched at an immersive view, which effectively falls into a complete 3D representation similar to Google Earth. Downloading my head gave me a clear view below, and pinch and dragging helped me navigate.
I jumped to a restaurant in Manhattan, I asked Gemini to show interior photos and continued requesting reviews. Gemini responded with relevant YouTube videos of the restaurant. It was a demonstration of several steps convincing, and it worked in an impressive way.
That does not mean that everything was perfect. There were some decelerations, but Gemini was easily the highlight of the experience. I wish more time with him.
Hardware impressions
Although I only used the headphones briefly, it was evident that, although it shares some design signals with the Vision Pro, Project Moohan is remarkably lighter, although it is not so high -end.
After inserting the lenses, I put the headphones as a visor: the front screen and the back strap on my head. A dial in the back allowed me to squeeze the adjustment easily. When pressing the ignition button at the top, he adjusted the lenses in my eyes automatically, with an internal mechanism that repositioned them subtly in seconds.
From there, I used the main control gesture, turning my hand and touching the thumb to the index finger, to mention the pitcher. That gesture seems to be the main interface for now.
Google’s mentioned ocular monitoring will be compatible, but I couldn’t try it during this demonstration. Instead, I used the monitoring of hands to navigate, which, as someone familiar with the vision pro, felt a bit intuitive. I’m glad the eye tracking is on the road map.
Google also showed a depth effect for YouTube videos that gave movement elements, such as running camels or the grass that blew in the wind, a slight 3D sensation. However, some visual layers (such as mountain peaks floating strangely ahead of the clouds) did not land at all. The same effect was applied to the fixed images on Google Photos, but they lacked emotional weight unless the photos were personal.
Where the Moohan project stands out
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The most prominent characteristic so far is the close integration of Gemini. It is not just a tool for control: it is a lens with AI in the world that surrounds you, which makes the device feel really useful and exciting.
It is important to note that the Moohan project did not feel heavy to use. While neither Google nor Samsung have confirmed their weight, and yes, there is a cable energy package that I put in my coat’s pocket, remained comfortable during my short time with him.
There is still much that we need to learn about the final headphones. The Moohan project is expected to be launched at the end of 2025, but for now, it remains a prototype. Even so, if Google gets the correct price and guarantees a strong line of applications, games and content, this could be a convincing debut in the XR space.
Unlike Google anterior Android XR Glasses prototype, Project Moohan feels much more tangible, with a real launch window in sight.
I briefly tried those previous glasses, but they were more like Gemini-de-Your-Face prototype. Project Moohan feels that he has legs. Hopefully land at the right price.
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