For now, Android XR isn’t truly open-source, but Google is hopeful that the operating system will soon power a variety of partner headsets. While Samsung is reportedly set to be the first to roll out an Android XR headset, companies like Sony, Lynx, and XREAL are gearing up to integrate the OS as well.
Earlier this year, Meta made waves by declaring its intention to open up Quest’s Horizon OS to third parties. Now, Android XR emerges as an attractive alternative for those building headsets.
Google confirms that Sony, Lynx, and XREAL are already on board with Android XR.
For instance, Sony seems poised to equip its SRH-S1 mixed reality (MR) headset with this cutting-edge system. At a hands-on event earlier in the year, Sony was hesitant to disclose whether they were crafting their own platform or where users could access content. Opting for Android XR could be a smarter move for Sony rather than investing resources into developing a completely new XR OS and ecosystem. Meanwhile, their PlayStation VR headsets will likely continue to operate on PlayStation OS, keeping them distinct from the Android XR path.
On the other hand, the Lynx R-1 headset has faced challenges on its journey to market, largely due to the complexities of developing a full-featured software stack for XR needs. Stan Larroque, the founder of Lynx, mentioned in a conversation with Road to VR that while the R-1 won’t run on Android XR, the company plans for future headsets to do so. This strategic shift could streamline development costs and provide access to a broader app ecosystem, enhancing the appeal of Lynx headsets.
As for XREAL, known for their augmented reality glasses which create large floating screens projecting content from other devices, the specifics of how they will incorporate Android XR remain to be seen. However, it’s a safe assumption that their future products will align with Android XR’s capabilities.
While it’s true that both Meta and Google aim to enable their XR operating systems to function across third-party headsets, they still maintain control over the process. Neither Horizon OS nor Android XR is fully ‘open’ yet; only selected partners have the opportunity to utilize these platforms.
As these two systems vie for dominance, there’s growing pressure on both to become the more inclusive choice. This competitive push may eventually drive one or both companies to fully open their XR OS for broader use.
