TechVRAndroid XR to debut on all-new Apple Vision Pro rival from SamsungAndroid XR will underpin future mixed reality experiences on headsets and glassesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechVRAndroid XR to debut on all-new Apple Vision Pro rival from SamsungAndroid XR will underpin future mixed reality experiences on headsets and glassesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Android XR will underpin future mixed reality experiences on headsets and glasses
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Samsung)
(Image credit: Samsung)
Samsung, Google and Qualcomm have announced Android XR, the new platform that’s going to power future headsets and smart glasses.
XR – or extended reality – is having its coming-of-age moment, with the announcement ofAndroidXR, a new platform that will power next-gen experiences and rivalApple, Meta and thebest VR headsetsout there.
It’slong been knownthatSamsung,Googleand Qualcomm were working together on extended reality and theannouncement of Android XRtakes us a big step forward, not just from a hardware perspective, but in software terms. too.
The first headset to run Android XR will come from Samsung. It’s currently codenamedProject Moohanand is on course to launch in 2025.
The launch of Android XR isn’t really about the hardware, however. Yes, there are mentions of the headset and of future smart glasses – but it’s the Android XR platform that’s the focus of the announcement today.
This is the operating system that will underpin the experience from both the headset and the glasses, albeit in different ways.
A vision for Android XR - YouTubeWatch On
A vision for Android XR - YouTube
A vision for Android XR - YouTube
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That’s going to include recognising the world around you and being able to identity things, it’s going to include voice interaction and summaries delivered right to your eyes and ears, so you’re not dependent on your other devices.
What will Android XR be able to do?
We’re right at the start of Android XR’s life and Google has outlined some of the experiences that will be offered. Importantly, as this is Android, it’s been confirmed that the Play Store will work, so you’ll get access to all Android apps right from the start, with new apps made specifically for XR coming in the future.
Many of the examples that Google talks about mirror experiences we’ve seen fromApple Vision Pro. There’s talk about greater immersion into sports events, being able to pull up stats as well as watching the live action, and being able to take a video and make it immersive, like you’re back in that moment.
Google already has a number of technologies that naturally roll into XR – Google Lens has been recognising objects in the real world for many years and that’s a natural progression of the technology into a face-mounted device so that the information is instantly there.Google Mapshas also been offering AR navigation for years, something that future Android XR glasses will be able to offer.
There are many threads that Google can pull on, from reviews of restaurants, to the immediate knowledge (however convoluted it is) of Gemini, to get you answers as soon as you ask.
While all this sounds great, the introduction (or reintroduction) of this virtual approach to computing faces many challenges. Convincing people that they should move out of a phone onto a device strapped to their face is going to be difficult – even though the reception to Apple Vision Pro’s hardware went well, people still ask what the point is.
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