Android XR Is On Its Way – But Google Is Keeping Quiet For Now

Google has just unveiled the agenda for its eagerly anticipated I/O developer conference, and if you’re into cutting-edge tech, there’s a lot to look forward to. Among the developer-centric events, you’ll find sessions that promise a deeper dive into the much-talked-about Android XR operating system. However, from what we can see, it seems like Google is keeping its cards pretty close to its chest when it comes to Android XR, at least for now.

Ever since the announcement last December that Google would be teaming up with Samsung on the ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset, Android XR has been flying under the radar. There are no specific launch dates locked in for either project, although the buzz suggests we won’t be waiting much longer, with launches expected sometime this year.

While we do know about some of the features of Android XR, like the eagerly anticipated support for passthrough camera access, and developers can already access the Android XR SDK, there’s still a question mark over how it will measure up against industry giants like Meta’s Horizon OS and Apple’s visionOS.

For those eager to catch the streaming moments of Google I/O, keynotes will be live from May 20th to 21st. However, intriguingly, the sessions specifically dedicated to Android XR won’t be available via livestream. There is, however, a ‘What’s New in Android’ livestream that might drop a few hints about Android XR.

Despite the lack of livestream for the dedicated XR sessions, these talks are all about Android XR, pointing to Google’s intent to foster a developer-friendly vibe around XR behind the scenes. It’s an interesting move, focusing on developers without the fanfare of a massive keynote.

Here’s a peek into what the talks will cover: Android XR is gearing up for a public launch later this year, and in preparation, Google is rolling out a suite of new tools. This includes an XR-specific version of Jetpack, which combines Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore, now available in developer preview. This toolkit gives developers a platform to craft spatialized layouts enhanced with 3D models and immersive environments. The inclusion of ARCore is a big deal, signaling Google’s effort to consolidate its spatial computing tools and offer a unified approach for building both AR and VR experiences.

Moreover, the sessions emphasize incorporating XR features into existing apps, such as 3D models, hand tracking, and stereoscopic video. This suggests that Android XR is not just courting game developers but is aiming to integrate seamlessly into the broader Android app ecosystem.

On top of that, Google plans to expand Jetpack Compose, their declarative UI toolkit, into the XR space. This expansion aims at streamlining UI design across mobile, tablet, and XR, making UI porting and adaptation for immersive environments a breeze.

Notably, the second session will delve into emerging AI capabilities being developed for Android XR. This could mean we’ll soon see features like real-time object recognition, scene understanding, or even AI-generated environments—exciting stuff on the horizon!

Even though neither of these talks is being livestreamed, which might imply that Google isn’t ready to fully showcase Android XR just yet, we’re all ears for any detail about Samsung’s anticipated ‘Project Moohan’ headset. Expected to be the first to support Android XR, this piece of tech promises to be a game-changer.

We’ll be glued to the livestreams and technical discussions, eager to discover anything fresh and new.

Building Differentiated Apps for Android XR with 3D Content

Join developers Dereck Bridié and Patrick Fuentes as they unveil Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore for Jetpack XR. This session will guide you through the integration of immersive features like 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand tracking into apps. Dive into the Android XR SDK developer preview and gear up for Android XR’s public debut later this year.

The Future is Now, with Compose and AI on Android XR

Explore the frontier of immersive tech with Cecelia Abadie and Jan Kleinert. This session showcases the latest updates to the Android XR SDK Beta, debuting at I/O, featuring advancements to Jetpack Compose for XR and groundbreaking AI functionalities. Discover how to leverage your investments in large screen development to tap into the dynamic realm of Android XR.