As the countdown to Google I/O 2025 ticks away, all eyes in the extended reality space are fixed on the Mountain View giant. Next week’s developer conference, commencing on May 20th, is shaping up to be pivotal, strongly signaling Google’s intent to propel its AndroidXR ecosystem into the mainstream.
With dedicated keynotes and sessions squarely focused on VR, AR, and MR, the event promises deep dives into the evolving AndroidXR platform and its strategic integration across Google’s diverse product landscape. Beyond the immersive realm, Google’s foundational strength in artificial intelligence will also take centre stage.
Google I/O 2025 Signals Mainstream Push for AndroidXR
Next week, on May 20 and 21, Google I/O will commence, showcasing the technology giant’s latest innovations. A key focus will be Google’s emerging VR/AR/MR portfolio, particularly in light of its recent developments in the AndroidXR ecosystem. This event will highlight Google’s foundational innovations, such as artificial intelligence.
According to the official Google I/O webpage, the keynote on May 20 will feature extended discussions on XR, likely covering the AndroidXR platform and its integration within Google’s product offerings. Additionally, there will be a Developer Keynote on the same day, which is expected to focus on XR.
In tandem with these broader sessions, Google will host a session titled “Building Differentiated Apps for Android XR with 3D Content.” This session will feature Dereck Bridié and Patrick Fuentes, both Developer Relations Engineers at Google. They will guide participants through creating immersive content, including integrating 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand-tracking into existing applications.
“Participants will learn about new features in the Android XR SDK developer preview. ” Furthermore, it notes that this session is in anticipation of the public launch of Android XR, which is expected later this year.
Shahnanigans Founder, Shahwali Shayan: On Snapchat AR
Shahwali Shayan, the founder of Shahnanigans, spoke exclusively with XR Today about the process of working on Snap platforms, developing the augmented reality experience with the BBC, and Snap’s role in the XR market.
Shahnanigans strongly advocates for Snap and its broader ecosystem of current and upcoming AR solutions, adding, “I think Lens studios buy for the most sophisticated augmented reality software that we have at the moment.”
Shayan explained
I think, as a user who uses Lens Studio quite a lot, it is one of the most powerful software programs. What you can do with it is unlike anything that you could do with any other sort of augmented reality software.
The Snap Lens was created to promote a documentary series featuring broadcaster Rosalind Ellis, highlighting her show ‘Rose Ayling-Ellis: Old Hands, New Tricks.’“Because she’s part of the deaf community, a big advocate for British sign language, and spreads a lot of awareness, the idea was to use sign language as a focal point.”
Shayan mentioned that although the project was intended for marketing and promotion, the final result focused more on creating an AR experience that has a “life beyond the marketing campaign, and it’s a utility tool.”
ArborXR Acquires InformXR
ArborXR, recently announced its strategic acquisition of InformXR, an XR learning analytics platform. This acquisition supports ArborXR’s ongoing effort to launch ArborXR Insights, an in-house XR analytics suite designed for its existing user base.
As part of this transition, InformXR’s founder, Dan Kuykendall, and the company’s engineering and data science team, will join ArborXR to help develop and implement the Insights solution.
Kuykendall said:
We built InformXR because we saw how hard it was for developers and enterprises to get the data they need from VR training. Integrating directly into ArborXR’s platform was the natural next step—combining powerful insights with best‑in‑class device management.
ArborXR Insights is designed to help managers access learner performance data from XR training programs and detailed real-time hardware information, such as which individuals are using headsets.
The platform also supports integration with Business Intelligence tools and offers access to over 500 Learning Management Systems, which can be quickly installed and deployed for various use cases, including classrooms, remote field locations, and secure government settings.
