"Qualcomm Challenges Apple with Advanced Snapdragon XR2+ and New MR Tech Partnerships"

Qualcomm has announced a new spatial computing chip, the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2, which will enable companies to create mixed reality headsets that compete with Apple's Vision Pro. Five companies, including Samsung and HTC Vive, are set to use this chip in their upcoming devices, with the first competitor being revealed on Monday, January 8. Qualcomm's chip is designed to offer premium mixed reality experiences without the need for an external battery pack, a feature that seems to take a jab at Apple's design choice for the Vision Pro. The competition in the mixed reality headset market is expected to provide consumers with more choices and potentially more affordable options compared to Apple's high-end product.