Google Debuts Android XR Operating System for Mixed Reality Headsets and Smart Glasses

Google today announced the launch of Android XR, an operating system created for extended reality (XR) headsets and smart glasses. Android XR is Google's equivalent of visionOS, the operating system that runs on the Apple Vision Pro headset.

android xr
Android XR is designed for the "next generation of computing," and Google has teamed up with Samsung for the operating system. Google is providing a preview of Android XR to developers as of today, allowing them to start building apps and games for future Android XR devices that will compete with the Vision Pro and VR headsets from Meta.

The first headset that runs Android XR will be designed by Samsung, and it is set to launch in 2025. Android XR and Samsung's headset will support being fully immersed in a virtual environment or staying present in the real world, similar to how Apple allows ‌Apple Vision Pro‌ users to adjust the Vision Pro immersion level by activating or shutting out the real world view provided by cameras.

Android XR will include Gemini, Google's AI assistant, and it will offer device controls and insight into what the wearer is seeing. Google says that Gemini will be able to help users plan, research topics, and get task guidance. YouTube will be available to watch on a "virtual big screen," and Google Photos will support 3D images. An immersive view will be available for Google Maps, and Chrome will support multiple virtual screens for multitasking.

Google says that mobile and tablet apps from Google Play will work with Android XR "right out of the box," with more immersive content made for XR coming in 2025.

As for smart glasses, Android XR will provide one-tap access to Google Gemini. Google is planning to test prototype glasses running Android XR with a small group of users in the near future.

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Top Rated Comments

CarAnalogy Avatar
9 hours ago at 04:51 pm

I wonder if this will hasten the release of a native visionOS YouTube app or drag things out even more.
It will ensure there is never one. This is why Google killed anything resembling one. If they could block Safari on Vision Pro from accessing YouTube and thought they could get away with it, they would.

Remember software from these companies doesn’t have anything to do with what we want. Only what they can sell and what they think is best for their business interests. That includes Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tazinlwfl Avatar
9 hours ago at 05:21 pm

It will ensure there is never one. This is why Google killed anything resembling one. If they could block Safari on Vision Pro from accessing YouTube and thought they could get away with it, they would.

Remember software from these companies doesn’t have anything to do with what we want. Only what they can sell and what they think is best for their business interests. That includes Apple, Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc.
To be less cynical, it could also simply be because Google knew they had this coming soon and wanted to debut it for their platform first, and it will eventually make it to vOS with delayed features like they do with everything else they make. So it's a win-win: they leave Apple out to dry on the debut but eventually capture that audience too.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
10 hours ago at 03:43 pm
you will see steep discounts on a Samsung "XR device", just like all their other stuff ... so should be available for ~ $1.5k about 6 weeks after launch
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
subjonas Avatar
8 hours ago at 05:39 pm
Interested to see what Google has come up with, and what hardware and apps will follow, and how it will affect the trajectory of AVP.

By the way, it's so quiet in this thread. Where are all the mockers? Does AVP mocking not carry over to Google/Samsung?
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxoakland Avatar
8 hours ago at 06:05 pm
We should do a betting pool for when they shut it down
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
paulovsouza Avatar
9 hours ago at 04:34 pm
I'm glad there's a push, and competition because I really want Apple pushing the AVP even though no one believes in it. But even though it's a year ahead, I'm sure Google already learned from Apples mistakes. So the AVP may still be behind, even in 2025.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)