Google has released a preview of Android XR, a new operating system that includes AI for use with AR and VR for headsets and glasses. A developer SDK has also been released.

The preview version of Android XR is intended for developers, with support in tools including ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR. Google's hope is that developers will start building apps and games for upcoming Android XR devices.

Shahram Izadi, Google Vice President of XR, said :

"For Google For Qualcomm partners like Lynx, Sony and XREAL, we are opening a path for the development of a wide array of Android XR devices to meet the diverse needs of people and businesses. And, we are continuing to collaborate with Magic Leap on XR technology and future products with AR and AI."

The first Android XR products will be headsets, with the first device, code named Project Moohan and built by Samsung, available for purchase next year.

What differentiates this latest generation of devices from earlier less successful offerings (Google Glass, anyone?) is the integration with Gemini, Google's AI assistant. Google says this will mean you can have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device, and Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks.

Google also plans versions of popular Google apps for headsets, so YouTube and Google TV will be available on a virtual big screen, Google Photos in 3D, and Google Maps will have an immersive view where the viewer moves above and through the maps. Google says mobile and tablet apps from Google Play will work right out of the box.

The availability of glasses looks further away - Google says it will "shortly" begin real-world testing of prototype glasses running Android XR with a small group of users with the aim of creating "helpful products and ensuring we're building in a way that respects privacy for you and those around you."

Google says they plan to offer "stylish, comfortable glasses you'll love to wear every day and that work seamlessly with your other Android devices". The glasses will come with Gemini 'one tap away' for information including directions, translations or message summaries without reaching for your phone.

For developers there's also a preview of the Android XR SDK, though Google says that most Android apps will automatically be made available on Play Store for Android XR without any additional development effort. The SDK includes rich 3D elements, spatial panels, and spatial audio that bring a natural sense of depth, scale, and tangible realism. Google refers to the use of these as letting you break free of traditional screens by spatializing your app. Kotlin and Android Studio developers can make use of the Jetpack XR SDK, a suite of libraries and tools, while developers using Unity's real-time 3D engine get Android XR Extensions for Unity. The latest preview of Android Studio Meerkat includes an Android XR Emulator to create a virtualized XR device for deploying and testing apps built with the Jetpack XR SDK.

There are also options for Chrome  in the form of WebXR, and Android XR supports the OpenXR 1.1 standard for C/C++ developers.

More details of Android XR and the SDK are available on the Android website.

More Information

Android XR Website

Android XR SDK

Related Articles

Android Studio Jellyfish Ready To Use

Android Studio Hedgehog Is Now Stable

Android Studio Flamingo Improves UI Tools

Android Studio Electric Eel Released

To be informed about new articles on I Programmer, sign up for our weekly newsletter, subscribe to the RSS feed and follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin.

Comments

Make a Comment or View Existing Comments Using Disqus

or email your comment to: comments@i-programmer.info