Today, Google announced Android XR, an operating system the firm purpose-built for XR devices and services, which Google calls the “next generation of computing.”
Notably, Google is developing the XR OS alongside Samsung; during the announcement, Samsung also highlighted how it is poised to release a headset in 2025. Moreover, other XR industry figures are supporting Android XR, including Qualcomm, Sony, XREAL, Magic Leap, and Lynx, a new entry into the XR market.
“We are opening a path for developing a wide array of Android XR devices to meet the diverse needs of people and businesses,” Google noted in an official press release.
Interestingly, the Android XR ecosystem comes as Meta pushes its Horizon OS and Apple with its visionOS. Google and its partners may be uniting several major players in the Android XR ecosystem to create a competitive alternative to Apple and Meta OS offerings.
The Android XR OS aims to enhance the future of AI, AR, and VR experiments on headsets and smart glasses. The current Andriod XR version is in a preview stage for developers only, with a broader release to be expected.
Moreover, developers getting hands-on with Android XR today can leverage familiar tools, such as ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR, to start building on it.
Samsung Unveils Its Headset
Part of the Andriod XR announcement includes the first look at Samsung’s headset. Codenamed “Project Moohan,” Samsung’s XR headset will be available for purchase next year.
For now, the features of Project Moonhan are speculative; however, AI will play a profound role in the device.
As part of the Android XR announcement, Google highlighted the pivotal role Gemini AI assistants will play in presenting new opportunities for interacting with a headset and its visualisations.
Google also notes that, due to the familiar Andriod background, its XR OS can support numerous pre-existing mobile and tablet applications, along with purpose-built Andriod XR content.
This move answers a big hurdle in the general XR adoption journey: users need a wide choice of applications and system-selling services to help them commit to an XR device.
The Future of Android XR
With Google, Samsung, Magic Leap, Lynx, Sony, Qualcomm, and XREAL joining the AndroidXR journey, the platform will gain additional support and investment in 2025.
The year will be revolutionary for the future of XR adoption, with the number of firms entering the market and existing ones maturing. With several major firms showcasing support for Andriod XR, it may shake up a market dominated by mainstream Apple and Meta developments.
Google is testing prototype Android XR smart glasses with select users, focusing on privacy, flexibility, and opportunities, with new updates most likely shaking up the 2025 market.
