The recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy XR was a spectacle of innovation, showcasing various demos that highlighted the device’s capabilities. Among these, one application emerged as a frontrunner for redefining user experience: Project Pulsar from Adobe. While the ability to run 2D applications in floating windows is commendable, the Android XR ecosystem craves unique, platform-specific experiences, and Pulsar exemplifies this need beautifully.
At its core, Project Pulsar is an immersive video editing application tailored exclusively for Android XR. Its standout feature lies in its understanding of video depth. During the launch event, Max Spear, Product Lead of XR at Google, demonstrated the app by editing footage from a hot air balloon festival. He engaged with Gemini, the AI assistant, to generate creative caption ideas—“Floating Fantasies” being one of the suggestions—and seamlessly integrated that text into the video scene.
What sets this application apart is its sophisticated handling of 3D elements. When Max introduced the 3D text and a heart icon into the video, the app didn’t merely overlay these graphics. Instead, it intelligently interpreted the depth of the video, allowing the text and heart to interact naturally with the scene. As the camera panned, these elements convincingly floated behind and in front of the balloons, creating a dynamic visual experience.
Why Project Pulsar is so impressive
With 15 years of video editing experience, I can confidently assert that achieving such effects in traditional software like Final Cut Pro or After Effects is labor-intensive and often requires meticulous frame-by-frame adjustments. Project Pulsar, however, harnesses the spatial capabilities of XR and its depth mapping technology to simplify this intricate process. As Adobe describes, users can create advanced visual effects, such as placing text behind subjects, without needing extensive VFX expertise.
This encapsulates the promise of spatial computing within a single application. It transforms a complex, expert-level task into an intuitive and enjoyable experience, all within a 3D environment. Users can even export their final creations as standard 2D videos or as stereoscopic 3D “spatial videos” for viewing on other XR devices.
The significance of having Adobe, a titan in creative software, as a launch partner with an exclusive app cannot be overstated. This collaboration lends immediate creative credibility to the Galaxy XR and the Android XR platform, positioning it not merely as a device for content consumption but as a formidable tool for content creation.
Project Pulsar will be included in the “Explorer Pack” for all Galaxy XR purchasers, ensuring that early adopters can experience its capabilities firsthand. While we await the opportunity to explore its full potential, it is precisely this type of innovative application that fuels excitement for the future of the platform!
Join Chrome Unboxed Plus
Introducing Chrome Unboxed Plus – our revamped membership community. Join today at just / month to gain access to our private Discord, exclusive giveaways, AMAs, an ad-free website, ad-free podcast experience, and more.
Plus Monthly
/mo. after 7-day free trial
Support our independent coverage with a monthly subscription and enjoy exclusive benefits.
Plus Annual
/yr. after 7-day free trial
Opt for an annual subscription to support our independent coverage while accessing exclusive perks.
Our newsletters are also a great way to get connected. Subscribe here!
Click here to learn more and for membership FAQ.
