Android XR Is On Its Way – But Google Isn’t Ready to Make a Big Announcement Yet

Google recently unveiled the lineup for its eagerly anticipated I/O developer conference. While the schedule is packed with developer-focused sessions, it seems that details on Android XR are being kept somewhat under wraps, at least for now.

Android XR has been quietly hovering on the fringes since Google initially introduced it alongside Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset back in December. There’s still no definite launch date for either, though both are anticipated to roll out to the public at some point this year.

Google has confirmed a handful of Android XR features, such as the long-awaited support for passthrough camera access, and has even made the Android XR SDK available to developers. However, the tech world is waiting with bated breath to see how it measures up against more established XR platforms like Meta’s Horizon OS and Apple’s visionOS.

The conference is slated to feature a number of livestreamed keynotes from May 20th to 21st. However, only two sessions specifically devoted to Android XR have been announced, and these won’t be livestreamed. Nevertheless, a session titled ‘What’s New in Android’ will include mentions of Android XR.

Although there’s a lack of livestream focus, the two developer sessions indicate that Google is keen on fostering a developer-native environment for XR, aiming for deeper integration within the broader Android ecosystem—albeit without the fanfare of public keynotes.

Here’s a glimpse of what the sessions promise: Android XR is on its way to a public debut later this year, with Google preparing a fresh XR toolchain to pave the path. This will incorporate Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore into a Jetpack version tailored for XR. The introduction of Jetpack XR, now available in developer preview, offers developers of mobile or large-screen Android apps tools to craft spatial layouts using 3D models and immersive surroundings. The inclusion of ARCore here signals Google’s intentions to streamline its spatial computing resources, providing a unified toolkit for creating both AR and VR content.

The topics also include integrating XR features like 3D models, hand-tracking, and stereoscopic video into existing apps, suggesting Google’s aim to lure not just game developers but a wider audience. This ties into Google’s strategy to bring Android XR in line with the general Android ecosystem.

Furthermore, Google is extending Jetpack Compose, its declarative UI toolkit, to XR. This move highlights an effort to standardize UI design across devices such as mobile, tablet, and XR, simplifying the transition or adaptation of UIs for immersive environments.

The second revealed session puts a spotlight on developing AI capabilities within Android XR, hinting at possibilities like real-time object recognition, scene understanding, or even AI-crafted environments lurking around the corner.

It’s noteworthy that neither of these sessions is being livestreamed, implying that Google might still be treading carefully with Android XR. Additionally, there’s curiosity regarding Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ headset, poised to be the first to support Android XR.

Rest assured, we’ll be tuned in to the livestreams and ready to cover any groundbreaking revelations from the technical discussions.

### Building Differentiated Apps for Android XR with 3D Content

Join Dereck Bridié and Patrick Fuentes, Developer Relations Engineers, as they debut Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore for Jetpack XR. They will guide developers in incorporating immersive content, such as 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand-tracking, into existing apps. Participants will become acquainted with the latest features introduced in the Android XR SDK developer preview, laying essential groundwork ahead of the public launch later this year.

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

Cecilia Abadie, Senior Product Manager, and Jan Kleinert, Developer Relations Engineer, will reveal the future of immersive experiences with Android XR. This session will present the latest Android XR SDK Beta updates launching at I/O, including improvements to Jetpack Compose for XR and pioneering AI features. Attendees will learn how their current investments in large-screen development can be leveraged to widen their reach into the exhilarating realm of Android XR.