Android XR Is On the Horizon – But Google Is Keeping Quiet for Now

Google has unveiled the lineup for its upcoming I/O developer conference, highlighting sessions geared towards developers and focusing on its much-anticipated Android XR operating system. However, if you’re hoping for extensive reveals about Android XR, the schedule suggests Google might still be keeping its cards close to its chest for now.

Since Google first introduced Android XR in December alongside Samsung’s ambitious ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset, both have remained somewhat enigmatic. Concrete release dates are still under wraps, though a public launch is on the horizon for later this year.

Some confirmed features of Android XR have been generating buzz, such as the highly anticipated passthrough camera access. Google has also rolled out developer access to its Android XR SDK, but everyone is eagerly waiting to see how it measures up against well-established XR giants like Meta’s Horizon OS and Apple’s visionOS.

The upcoming Google I/O will feature several livestreamed keynotes from May 20th to the 21st. Curiously, only two developer talks will specifically focus on Android XR, and neither will be available via livestream. There’s hope, though, that a livestreamed ‘What’s New in Android’ session might shed some light on Android XR developments.

Even without the fanfare of a livestreamed keynote, these talks indicate Google’s intent to push XR more into the developer spotlight as it increasingly becomes part of the Android landscape. These sessions hint at Google’s strategy to foster a developer-friendly ecosystem for XR advancements.

The content of these talks reveals that Android XR is gearing up for a public debut later this year, accompanied by a new XR toolchain. This will integrate Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore into Jetpack’s specialized XR version. Currently in developer preview, Jetpack XR enables developers of mobile and large screen apps to create spatial layouts using 3D models and immersive environments, hinting at a unified strategy for building both AR and VR experiences.

Part of the focus is on enhancing existing apps with XR features like 3D models, hand-tracking, and stereoscopic video. This approach suggests Google’s vision for Android XR includes applications far beyond gaming, aiming to align it closely with the wider Android app ecosystem.

Google is also planning to extend Jetpack Compose, its declarative UI toolkit, to XR, which aims to streamline the design process across mobile, tablet, and XR platforms. This could greatly simplify adapting user interfaces for immersive environments.

Interestingly, the second talk teases upcoming AI capabilities for Android XR, speculating about features like real-time object recognition, scene understanding, or even AI-generated environments. Such innovation could set the stage for more sophisticated XR experiences.

Despite neither talk being livestreamed, possibly indicating Google’s hesitance to fully unveil Android XR, there’s anticipation surrounding Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ headset, poised to be the first to support Android XR.

We’ll be closely monitoring the livestreams and technical discussions with high hopes for new insights and exciting developments.

Building differentiated apps for Android XR with 3D content

Dereck Bridié, Developer Relations Engineer; Patrick Fuentes, Developer Relations Engineer

“Dive into the world of Android XR as we reveal Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore for Jetpack XR. This session is crafted for developers ready to enrich their apps with immersive elements like 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand-tracking. You’ll get an exclusive look at new features in the Android XR SDK developer preview, setting the stage for its launch later this year.”

The future is now, with Compose and AI on Android XR

Cecilia Abadie, Senior Product Manager; Jan Kleinert, Developer Relations Engineer

“Explore the cutting-edge realm of Android XR. Discover the latest updates launching with the Android XR SDK Beta at I/O, including Jetpack Compose enhancements for XR and innovative AI capabilities. See how your investments in large screen development can seamlessly transition into the dynamic world of Android XR.”