Google Launches Android XR to Usher in a New Era of Extended Reality

A VIEW FROM MONTAGNE, California, December 13, 2024 – Google announced the launch of ​Android XR, an innovative ​platform designed to bring extended reality devices (XR), such as VR helmets and ​AR smart glasses, to the Android ​ecosystem. This marks a significant ​step forward in the technological giant’s desire to unify XR experiences, taking advantage of his experience in artificial intelligence ​and ​in partnership with ​key players such as Samsung and Qualcomm.

Android XR, built on AOSP (Android ​Open Source Project), has been highly customized to meet ​the specific needs of XR ​devices. According to Google, it is ​the first Android platform developed for the “Gemini AI” era, indicating its deep integration with Google’s ​Gemini AI model, which improves multimodal ​interactions that combine vision, voices and gestures.

What is XR Android?

Android ​XR represents a new version of the Android operating system adapted to extended ​reality ​experiences. ​As Android Police said, it is the ​first new Android variant of Android Automotive in 2017. Developed in collaboration ​with Samsung and Qualcomm, Android XR is ready to power a ​wide range ​of devices, from VR ​immersive headphones for games and productivity ​to lightweight AR smart glasses for daily use.

Google ​imagines Android XR as a unifying platform that offers users a consistent and adaptable experience through XR devices. This vision extends to various applications, including health, games, lifestyle and professional productivity. Partners like Lynx, Sony and XREAL are already working ​on their ​own Android XR devices, highlighting the growing momentum around this platform.

Why Android XR and why now?

Google’s XR company has no precedent. The company has already explored space with Google Glass and the Daydream VR platform, both finally stopped. However, according to Google, the central vision behind these projects was “correct”, but the support technology was not yet mature. Recent advances in artificial intelligence, as well as the ability to ​enable natural multimodal interactions, have revitalized Google’s confidence in XR.

As the Android font pointed out, Google sees ​XR as the ideal way to interact with AI. Devices ​such as VR ​headsets and AR smart glasses can perfectly integrate interactions ​with AI, eliminating the awkwardness of relying exclusively ​on smartphones. The Google Astra project, which demonstrated immersive experiences on Android phones earlier this year, provided an ​overview of the potential of this approach. The company’s integrated capabilities and development ​ecosystem place it in a unique position to stimulate innovation in XR.

Immersive experiences developed by ​Android ​XR

At ​his heart, Android XR aims to offer customizable and immersive experiences. Google ​has shown several demonstrations that highlight the capabilities of the platform. For example, Android XR supports applications such as ​Google Photos, ​Google TV and YouTube in floating windows in real world ​environments. Users can interact ​with these ​applications using manual gestures or ​conversation commands via ​Gemini AI.

According to Google, the ​IA Gemini on Android XR allows a wide range of features, including recognition and response to ​user gestures and voice commands. In a demo, Google Photos is transformed into an ​immersive gallery where users can ​see ​photos without ​borders and navigate through the carousel ​with simple gestures. Similarly, the Google TV app displays ​high-resolution floating trailers in ​a virtual theatre, improving the entertainment experience.

Other features include Google Maps integration with immersive city views and Chrome’s multi-screen browsing capabilities. Users can also benefit ​from tools such as Circle to Search, which allows you to select ​and search for text and images in your environment while placing 3D objects in real world settings.

Developer hardware and ecosystem

The success of Android XR depends to a large extent on the availability of compatible hardware and applications. ​Samsung runs the charge with ​its first VR helmet, the Moohan code ​project, ​which is postponed to ​release in 2025. Qualcomm provides chipsets ​to power ​these devices, ​ensuring state-of-the-art performance and efficiency. Samsung’s smart glasses, ​expected to follow the launch of VR helmets, will expand the Android XR ecosystem.

As the Android font ​said, VR headphones are the ​initial target of Google and Samsung due to their higher immersion capabilities, including high resolution screens and advanced recognition technologies. AR smart glasses, designed ​as light and everyday lifestyle products, ​will follow ​the costume. These glasses will be based on a “flexible ​computer configuration”, where much of the processing occurs ​on a matching smartphone, allowing elegant designs to ​maintain ​powerful functionality.

Google actively involves developers to create apps for Android XR. By providing an XR SDK and working with the first hardware partners, ​the company ​aims to build a robust catalogue of applications and experiences before launching the platform.

The road ahead

The disclosure of Android XR is a crucial moment for Google as ​it reviews ​its XR ambitions with a new focus and cutting-edge technology. With partners like Samsung and Qualcomm, the platform is ​ready to ​bridge ​the gap between AI and XR, offering immersive experiences that go beyond traditional interfaces.

While the initial ​devices will focus on premium VR helmets, Android XR’s long-term potential extends to smart glasses and other usable technologies. By aligning your AI experience with hardware innovation, Google aims to redefine how users interact with the digital world, opening up new opportunities for entertainment, productivity and daily convenience.

As developers and ​consumers look forward to the arrival of Android XR devices, the ​success of the platform will depend on its ability to deliver convincing applications and perfect experiences. If successful, Android XR ​could be established as the cornerstone of the next generation of digital interaction.