Android XR Is on the Horizon – But Google Isn’t Making a Big Deal Out of It Yet

Google recently unveiled the schedule for its much-anticipated I/O developer conference, highlighting several developer-focused sessions aimed at shedding more light on its Android XR operating system. From the looks of it, Google is still keeping things relatively low-key regarding Android XR.

Since its announcement in December, alongside Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset, Android XR hasn’t been overly spotlighted. Concrete release dates remain elusive for both projects, though whispers suggest they might hit the market later this year.

Though Google has let slip some intriguing Android XR features, like the eagerly anticipated passthrough camera access, and provided developers a peek with its Android XR SDK, the question remains: how will it measure up against established XR platforms, such as Meta’s Horizon OS and Apple’s visionOS?

Scheduled for livestream broadcasts on May 20th and 21st, the Google I/O will host a variety of keynotes. Yet, only two talks directly focusing on Android XR have been announced, and neither will be livestreamed. However, the ‘What’s New in Android’ session is expected to broach the topic of Android XR.

In lieu of any substantial info from the livestreams, the two developer sessions indicate Google’s intention to bolster its developer-friendly approach to XR as it further entrenches itself within the larger Android ecosystem, albeit quietly avoiding the spotlight of a livestreamed keynote.

Here’s what we’ve deciphered from the session descriptions:

It’s clear Android XR is gearing up for a public debut later in the year, and Google is prepping a fresh XR toolchain before that launch. This toolchain will package Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore into an XR-specific version of Jetpack, called Jetpack XR. Currently in developer preview, Jetpack XR empowers developers of both mobile and large screen Android apps to craft spatially rich layouts using 3D models and immersive settings. The inclusion of ARCore is a nod toward Google’s effort to unify spatial computing tools, simplifying the development of both AR and VR experiences.

The sessions will also delve into the integration of XR features like 3D models, hand-tracking, and stereoscopic video into existing apps. This indicates that Android XR’s appeal isn’t confined to gaming developers alone, as Google aspires to bring Android XR in line with the broader Android ecosystem.

On the UI front, Google aims to extend Jetpack Compose, its declarative UI toolkit, to XR. This move suggests an intent to create a standardized UI across mobile, tablet, and XR platforms, thus easing the process of porting or adapting UIs for immersive environments.

Significantly, the second session will spotlight forthcoming AI capabilities in Android XR, hinting at exciting prospects such as real-time object recognition, scene comprehension, or even AI-generated environments being integrated.

While neither session will be livestreamed, this could suggest that Google isn’t quite ready for Android XR’s full-scale rollout. We’re also keen to hear more about Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ headset, anticipated to be the pioneer in supporting Android XR.

Rest assured, we’ll be watching the livestreams closely and covering technical talks to uncover any new developments.

Building differentiated apps for Android XR with 3D content

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

“Join us for an introduction to Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore for Jetpack XR as we guide developers on embedding immersive content like 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand-tracking into existing apps. Participants will explore new features in the Android XR SDK developer preview and gain vital insights in time for Android XR’s public release 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 future of immersive experiences with Android XR. This session unveils the freshest updates to the Android XR SDK Beta, launching at I/O, including enhancements to Jetpack Compose for XR and cutting-edge AI capabilities. Learn how your current investments in large screen development can be leveraged to venture into the thrilling realm of Android XR.