Again in October, Android Authority discovered proof that the Play Retailer was readying support for mixed reality (XR) apps, and this week, we realized why. Android XR, a brand new model of the working system constructed to energy blended actuality headsets just like the Meta Quest and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, is touchdown subsequent yr. At first blush, the considered Google branching out into a brand new product class is not all that thrilling. The corporate’s cultivated a popularity for abandoning merchandise — its on-again, off-again relationship with tablets has been making headlines currently, as the corporate seems to have abandoned plans to release a new Pixel Tablet next year.
However Google’s not going it alone on Android XR. As teased final yr, the primary headset to run the brand new OS is being in-built collaboration with Qualcomm and Samsung, the latter of which helped Google overhaul Put on OS in 2021, resulting in slightly little bit of a renaissance within the Android smartwatch house. It is completely attainable Android XR could possibly be the subsequent high-profile addition to the Google Graveyard, however in the intervening time, I am staying optimistic.
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I am cautiously optimistic about Android XR
Supply: Samsung
We have truly recognized that Samsung, Qualcomm, and Google have been working collectively on a headset since early final yr, when Samsung teased the undertaking at a Galaxy Unpacked occasion. Since then, although, we have not heard a lot of something about it — till this week.
There’s not a variety of data to go on about Samsung’s headset, at the moment often known as Project Moohan. Qualcomm is constructing a chipset to energy it, Samsung is placing collectively the remainder of the {hardware}, and Google’s offering the software program within the newly introduced Android XR working system. The headset is at the moment slated to go on sale someday subsequent yr, however we do not know what it will value.
Associated
This is our first look at Samsung’s VR headset running Android XR
Passthrough video, so not precisely augmented actuality
We all know slightly extra about Android XR, although. The software program is constructed on AOSP and can run Android apps that may be downloaded from the Play Retailer. The interface is tailor-made to the shape issue, and there will be bespoke apps that both overlay content material onto the actual world (therefore blended actuality, XR), or utterly immerse the wearer in a software program expertise, VR-style. Google’s already introduced partnerships for devoted XR apps with the likes of Adobe, Calm, and MLB. Google can be making documentation on port VR video games to Android XR out there.
Normal Android apps will likely be supported. If there is no XR model of a specific app out there, Android XR will open the app’s regular interface in a floating window, which could be repositioned and resized inside the person’s subject of view. No one’s going to purchase a mixed-reality headset to make use of telephone apps suspended in mid-air, in fact, however the answer appears extra user-friendly than the state of affairs on the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional, which solely runs apps particularly made for Apple’s XR platform.
Associated
Android XR software: Here are the VR games and AR apps coming to the new OS
Not an expansive library, however it’s positively a begin
Probably most encouraging, although, is that Samsung is not the one firm at the moment engaged on an Android XR gadget. Sony and sensible glasses maker XReal are engaged on Android XR units, too. It will be tougher for Google to desert its XR ambitions if doing so would burn a bunch of high-profile companions — a calculation the corporate did not need to make when shuttering initiatives like Stadia.
One other good signal for Android XR: it is a vector for the tech business’s obsession du jour, AI. Gemini is built into Android XR, giving the tech behind Google’s spectacular Project Astra demo from this yr’s I/O a logical platform to develop on. Android XR is even deliberate to energy sensible glasses just like Meta’s Orion project, although Samsung and Google have made it clear they’re centered on bringing a product extra just like the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional to market first.
Combined-reality headsets have a decidedly extra area of interest kind issue than smartphones or tablets, and I do not share Mark Zuckerberg’s perception that AR glasses like Orion will ultimately exchange smartphones for typical customers (no less than not anytime quickly).
However contemplating choices for standalone XR headsets are few and much between — and that probably the greatest recognized fashions prices $3,500 — it actually looks as if there’s room for development right here. If Samsung (or Sony, or whoever) can convey an Android XR headset to market that is aggressive with the $300 Meta Quest 3S, I am greater than keen to offer it a shot, and I do not suppose I will be alone in that sentiment. This is hoping Google would not bail on XR earlier than that may occur.
In the meantime…
Supply: Google
Gemini is getting into its “agentic period.” Google’s talking up its latest version of Gemini, 2.0, which may do issues like present multimodal output (eg, generated photos together with textual content) and may natively connect with instruments like Google Search with out the necessity for extensions. Google says that is all a giant deal for AI “brokers” that may carry out advanced duties autonomously.
Newest growth
Google unleashes Gemini 2.0 with new image and audio powers for the AI agent era
Virtually precisely one yr after Gemini 1.0
Gemini can now surf the net for you — kind of. Constructed on the brand new Gemini mannequin I discussed above, Google’s Project Mariner prototype can carry out duties contained in the Chrome browser, clicking, typing, and scrolling as wanted to do no matter you requested of it. It is early days for Mariner, although, so the device is simply out there to a choose few. There’s additionally a significant limitation proper now: Mariner can solely act inside an energetic browser tab, that means you must have the window Gemini is working in open whereas it really works. Nonetheless, it is clearly the beginning of one thing.
Newest growth
Google’s Project Mariner AI can surf the web for you, with a huge caveat
Do not anticipate to unencumber any spare time
Now you can speak to NotebookLM’s AI “podcast hosts.” A brand new Interactive Mode in NotebookLM permits you to butt in on the conversations the device generates, asking questions and redirecting the AI voices because the interplay unfolds. It would not fairly play out like a pure three-person dialog, and even like a Gemini Dwell session — the AI voices will name on you and provide you with time to speak, then return to their dialogue, knowledgeable by no matter you interjected. Spectacular and mildly unsettling all the identical.
Newest growth
You can now talk to Google’s Audio Overview AI hosts on NotebookLM
Is that this cool, creepy, or each?
