Google’s been hard at work – not content with bringing its AI exploits to users the world over, the Mountain view tech giant recently announced a major new release in the form of Android XR. A collaborative effort with Samsung, Android XR uses Google’s smartphone OS platform as a backbone in order to provide XR (extended reality) software and hardware for users, expanding the currently-existing capabilities of AR and VR platforms.
Google says that Android XR will be developed not only with end users in mind, but with the goal of establishing a deep ecosystem for app developers and device manufacturers, including major industry players such as Samsung, Qualcomm, and Sony, and growing brands like XREAL and Lynx. Samsung has actually announced an upcoming product currently in the works, which it calls Project Moohan (more on this later). As per Google’s official statement:
“Advancements in AI are making interacting with computers more natural and conversational. This inflection point enables new extended reality (XR) devices, like headsets and glasses, to understand your intent and the world around you, helping you get things done in entirely new ways… Today, we’re introducing Android XR, a new operating system built for this next generation of computing. Created in collaboration with Samsung, Android XR combines years of investment in AI, AR and VR to bring helpful experiences to headsets and glasses.”
In terms of software, developers will be able to access Android XR as a developer preview version, with support for a wide array of tools and engines such as ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR. Google adds that current Android apps will also be adapted to Android XR, and this includes its very own services like YouTube, Google Maps, Photos, and Google TV. Google attempted an early smart wearable product in the form of Google Glass many years ago, although it didn’t quite take off and was instead developed as an enterprise product. This time around though, it looks like Samsung’s added effort might yield better success for Google’s XR efforts.
Up next is Samsung’s own Project Moohan – like Android XR, the upcoming XR headset is a joint effort between Samsung and Google. Samsung is likewise no stranger to virtual headset devices, as we saw with the Samsung Gear VR from many years ago.
This time around, Samsung is going for a more headstrong approach with Google at its side, and while it wasn’t too keen on sharing a lot of info about Project Moohan, we can expect a high-end device with high-quality displays, support for passthrough functionality, multi-modal input, support for AI features such as Google Gemini, and of course a myriad of Android apps. With that said, Samsung does seem confident in the device – according to Won-Joon Choi, EVP and Head of R&D at Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business:
“XR has quickly shifted from a distant promise to a tangible reality. We believe it has the potential to unlock new and meaningful ways to interact with the world by truly resonating with your everyday lives, transcending physical boundaries… We are excited to collaborate with Google to reshape the future of XR, taking our first step towards it with Project Moohan.”
Neither Google nor Samsung have given specific release timelines for Android XR software and hardware, although we’re bound to get more updates in the coming months. In any case, it looks like Apple’s Vision Pro might have some serious competition on its hands soon.
