Google Officializes Android XR, Its New Platform for Mixed Reality

Samsung's Project Moohan will be the first Android XR headset. © Samsung

While Android already has versions for watches, PCs, and TVs, Google has just made official a new platform called Android XR, which will power mixed reality headsets and glasses. In other words, Android XR will be one of the main competitors of visionOS, the operating system of the Vision Pro and the mixed reality platform of the Meta group.

Initially, Android XR will be available on mixed reality headsets that combine virtual reality and augmented reality, before arriving on glasses. The first product to use this platform will be Samsung's headset, called Project Moohan, which will be available in 2025.

An ecosystem to build

For the moment, Google is busy developing a whole new ecosystem for this version of Android for mixed reality. “Today’s release is a developer preview, and with early support for tools like ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR, developers can easily start building apps and games for upcoming Android XR devices,” the company said.

Android XR will have its own Play Store, where these apps will be available. But in addition to experiences designed for mixed reality, Google will also allow users to open apps designed for smartphones in virtual screens on Android XR.

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Google is already optimizing its various apps, such as YouTube, Google Maps and Google Chrome, for this platform. And, of course, Gemini artificial intelligence will be involved. “With Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you see or control your device. Gemini can understand your intentions, help you plan, search for topics and guide you through your tasks”, explains the firm.

© Google

Google is already testing glasses

© Google

As mentioned above, Android XR will also equip augmented reality glasses. Compared to headsets , the glasses are compact and can be worn anywhere. Google says it will soon begin testing a prototype of Android XR glasses with a small group of users.

Whether this new platform will appeal to users remains to be seen, app developers and device manufacturers.

• Google makes Android XR, its competitor to visionOS and Meta's Mixed Reality Platform
• This software platform can be used by augmented reality headsets and glasses
• The first product under Android XR will be a Samsung headset that will be released in 2025
• Google must now convince application developers and device manufacturers to guarantee the success of this new ecosystem

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