Google releases Android XR OS for VR and AR gear
Google has released Android XR, a new operating system made to run devices that use virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). The technology will first be used in headsets, but it will likely be expanded to include smart glasses in the future. This builds on what Google has been doing internally to make versions of smart glasses as part of a project called Project Astra.
The goal of the operating system is to make XR headsets and glasses work together in a single space. Google’s vice president and general manager of XR, Shahram Izadi, says that the platform is meant to give people more gadget choices and easy access to well-known apps. By using Android’s built-in tools and frameworks, developers can take advantage of a unified environment that works with a wide range of XR devices.
One important thing about Android XR is that it works with Gemini, which is Google’s main large language model (LLM). This feature lets people connect with things in the real world and get feedback from AI. Gemini can help people put together furniture, for example, or give them thorough descriptions of things they see.
Android XR can do things like get the latest weather information and offer enhanced turn-by-turn guidance displays through Google Maps. Furthermore, the working system works with all of the mobile apps found in Google’s Play Store. For makers, well-known tools like Android Studio work perfectly with each other, so they don’t have to change how they make apps.
Samsung Electronics and Google worked together to make the first gadget with Android XR. It is a headset. The headset, which has the code name “Project Moohan,” is said to be lighter and more comfy than related goods like Apple’s Vision Pro.
Qualcomm’s XR2 Gen 2 system-on-chip powers the Samsung gear. This is a processor that was made to work with AR and VR devices. This high-tech chip works with external cameras and internal screens that have sizes of up to 4,300 by 4,000 pixels. Also, its working speeds are faster than those of its predecessor, which makes it perfect for demanding XR apps.
By double-tapping the side of the mask, users can switch between VR and AR modes. This lets them see both rendered material and the real world. The battery pack can be taken off and connected via a USB-C connection. There are plans for more than one battery choice to meet different usage needs.
Samsung is going to put Project Moohan out next year. After this, other companies are likely to release headsets with Android XR, and the platform could eventually be built into smart glasses. Although Google hasn’t said when exactly smart glasses will be available, its Project Astra prototypes have microLED display technology, which has higher clarity, better efficiency, and less chance of breaking down than current screen technologies.
Google is laying the grounds for a new, uniform platform that will serve both users and developers with Android XR. This will lead to a new era of realistic AR and VR experiences.
