Google’s New Android XR Operating System for Smart Glasses

Google is Back in the Smart Glasses Market

Google is taking another swing at the smart glasses market, determined to leave the missteps of Google Glass in the past. On December 12, the company unveiled Android XR, a new, cutting-edge operating system for headsets and smart glasses.

On the heels of the Meta Quest series and Apple Vision Pro leading the market, Google is banking on its Gemini generative AI to set its offering apart. The tech giant is working on a pair of Samsung glasses, codenamed Project Moohan, expected to hit store shelves in 2025, which will “transform how you watch, work, and explore.”

What Makes Android XR Different?

• Answer natural-language questions about your surroundings using Gemini.
• Search the internet or create an AI-guided to-do list with natural language.
• Play YouTube and Google TV.
• Display Google Photos in a virtual reality gallery.
• Use Circle to Search to get more information about an object in the real world or an item online.

Android XR’s Key Features

Combining Android XR, Google Gemini, and the glasses hardware means the devices can:

Google intends for Android XR to power various types of smart glasses.

“We want there to be lots of choices of stylish, comfortable glasses you’ll love to wear every day and that work seamlessly with your other Android devices,” Shahram Izadi, Google’s VP and general manager of Extended Reality, wrote in a blog post.

Android XR’s Software Development Kit (SDK)

Developers can experiment with the Android XR software development kit today by visiting developer.android.com/develop/xr. Google is accepting applications for an Android XR Developer Bootcamp, which will provide early access to hardware in exchange for collaboration with the internal XR team.

Android XR is compatible with ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR.

Since Android XR includes the Android Play Store, developers with apps already in the Play Store can automatically make those apps available on extended reality devices. To translate conventional apps to extended reality, Android recommends using its automatic tools for spatializing Material Design (M3) components and Compose for adaptive layouts.

Android XR’s Future Roadmap

Google plans to start privately testing Android XR on new hardware soon. Expect new devices from Google’s Qualcomm partners, particularly Sony, Lynx, and XREAL.

Conclusion

Google’s new Android XR operating system for smart glasses is an exciting development in the industry. With its Gemini generative AI, Android XR is poised to set itself apart from the competition. The operating system combines the best of Android with the latest in augmented reality technology, offering a seamless and intuitive experience for users.

FAQs

Q: What is Android XR?

A: Android XR is a new operating system for headsets and smart glasses.

Q: What makes Android XR different from other smart glasses platforms?

A: Android XR combines Android, its Gemini generative AI, and augmented reality technology to provide a seamless and intuitive experience for users.

Q: What are some of the key features of Android XR?

A: Some of the key features of Android XR include answering natural-language questions, searching the internet, playing YouTube and Google TV, displaying Google Photos in a virtual reality gallery, and using Circle to Search for more information about objects in the real world or online.

Q: How can developers get started with Android XR?

A: Developers can experiment with the Android XR software development kit today by visiting developer.android.com/develop/xr. Google is also accepting applications for an Android XR Developer Bootcamp, which will provide early access to hardware in exchange for collaboration with the internal XR team.

Q: What is the future roadmap for Android XR?

A: Google plans to start privately testing Android XR on new hardware soon, and expect new devices from Google’s Qualcomm partners, particularly Sony, Lynx, and XREAL.