Google has been a pioneer in the field of virtual and augmented reality, introducing products like Google Cardboard, Google Glass, and Google Daydream. Despite the discontinuation of these projects, Google remains committed to XR technology, as evidenced by recent hints and announcements. At the upcoming Google I/O developer conference, Google is expected to showcase its latest advancements in AR and VR, including updates to its ARCore platform. There is speculation that Google may also unveil a new XR headset, although a recent report suggests that this project has been canceled.
Google’s AR and VR account on X (formerly Twitter) has announced that the company will be sharing augmented reality news at Google I/O 2024. Several sessions will focus on ARCore, the augmented reality software built into many Android devices. Developers can utilize ARCore to create AR apps, and we anticipate significant developments in this area.
At Google I/O 2022, the company showcased a prototype of smart glasses that translate and transcribe languages. We may see more ambitious demonstrations like this or updates on existing projects. Additionally, there were discussions about an XR headset, but a Business Insider report suggests that Google has canceled the project. However, it’s possible that the project is still alive and could be unveiled at Google I/O.
Samsung and Google have collaborated on XR initiatives. At Galaxy Unpacked 2023, Google and Qualcomm executives joined Samsung’s TM Roh to announce a partnership to develop an XR headset. While Samsung did not provide specific details, it was an intriguing announcement made just before Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, where the Vision Pro was unveiled.
Samsung and Google have experience in developing AR and VR products. Samsung partnered with Oculus (now Meta) to launch the GearVR headset in 2015. Qualcomm is a leading XR hardware developer, powering popular VR headsets and smart glasses with its Snapdragon XR2 and AR chips. A joint development among Samsung, Google, and Qualcomm could revolutionize the XR industry, with Qualcomm supplying XR processors and reference designs, Samsung handling manufacturing and distribution, and Google providing software support.
To compete with Apple’s Vision Pro, Google requires a new spatial operating system for an XR headset, providing a virtual user interface that responds to hand gestures or controller input. Evidence of Android XR’s existence can be found in Google’s Play Store code, indicating that it is a genuine product. Android XR may also incorporate features tailored for AR glasses, leveraging Google’s extensive research and development in AR apps and prototypes.
Meta’s announcement to open-source Horizon OS, the software powering the Quest 3 VR headset, has further intensified competition in the XR market. Lenovo, Asus, and Microsoft are collaborating with Meta to create new headsets compatible with the Quest library. Apple’s visionOS and Meta’s expanding Horizon OS ecosystem position them as key players in this space, alongside Google and Samsung’s upcoming Android XR solution. This is an exciting time for spatial computing, with the potential for Android XR to make its debut this year.
The recent surge in XR activity suggests that Google should expand beyond its ARCore framework. At Google I/O, the company may announce Android XR, a comprehensive platform for VR, AR, and spatial computing. Developers are actively creating apps for Apple and Meta headsets, and Google must seize this momentum to ensure support for Android XR. Samsung’s upcoming XR headset should be compatible with various Android apps at launch, as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 platform shares compatibility with Snapdragon mobile processors, simplifying the porting process. This approach aligns with the Vision Pro’s capability to run iPad apps. An Android XR headset that seamlessly integrates with Android devices, including phones, tablets, Wear OS watches, and Chromebooks, would be a compelling offering.
With captivating immersive environments and engaging mixed-reality games, Google can establish itself as a leader in the XR space and bring the intuitive, holographic, AI-enhanced computer interfaces of science fiction closer to reality. The upcoming Google I/O event will reveal whether Google plans to revive its XR ambitions and formally unveil its Android XR platform.
