Android XR Is on Its Way – But Don’t Expect Google to Announce It Loudly Yet

Google has rolled out the lineup for its upcoming I/O developer conference, which is set to present several developer-centric sessions, promising deeper dives into the emerging Android XR operating system. Looking at the agenda, though, it seems Google isn’t making Android XR the star of the show just yet.

Initially introduced back in December alongside Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset, Android XR has mostly stayed out of the spotlight. Firm release dates are still in the air for both the OS and headset, though we anticipate their public debut sometime later this year.

While Google has confirmed a range of features for Android XR, like the much-anticipated passthrough camera access, and has provided developers with access to its Android XR SDK, we’re still waiting to see how it measures up against other established XR systems such as Meta’s Horizon OS and Apple’s visionOS.

The Google I/O event will feature multiple keynotes from May 20th to 21st, yet only two developer discussions specifically focused on Android XR have been scheduled, and unfortunately, neither will be livestreamed. However, there will be a ‘What’s New in Android’ session that is expected to touch on Android XR.

Even though the livestream might not deliver anything groundbreaking, the two developer-focused dialogues suggest that Google is keen on making a developer-friendly bid into XR, blending it more closely with the existing Android framework—though these won’t be showcased in a public stream.

From the presentation outlines, we gather that Android XR is making strides towards a public release later this year, with Google preparing a fresh XR toolkit before this rollout. This toolkit will integrate Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore into a special version of Jetpack aimed at XR. Jetpack XR, currently in its developer preview phase, empowers developers of mobile or large screen Android applications to build spatialized layouts using 3D models and immersive environments. Significantly, incorporating ARCore with Jetpack XR hints at Google unifying its spatial computing tools, providing developers with a seamless platform to craft both AR and VR experiences.

The discussions will also highlight how existing apps can be enhanced with XR features like 3D modeling, hand-tracking, and stereoscopic video, broadening Android XR’s allure beyond just game developers. It’s evident that Google intends to place Android XR at par with the broader Android ecosystem in terms of app functionality.

Google aims to extend its Jetpack Compose UI toolkit to XR, suggesting a move towards standardizing UI design across mobile, tablet, and XR to ease UI adaptation in immersive settings.

Another noteworthy element of the second talk includes emerging AI capabilities being built into Android XR, hinting at future possibilities like real-time object recognition, scene comprehension, and perhaps AI-generated environments.

Although these talks aren’t to be livestreamed, which might imply Google still isn’t fully prepared to fully showcase Android XR, there’s still palpable anticipation around Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’, which is expected to be the premier headset to support Android XR.

We’ll be closely watching the livestreams and analyzing the technical discussions, eagerly awaiting fresh insights.

Building Differentiated Apps for Android XR with 3D Content

Presented by Dereck Bridié and Patrick Fuentes, both Developer Relations Engineers

Join us as we introduce you to Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore for Jetpack XR, walking developers through the journey of integrating immersive content like 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand-tracking into existing apps. Participants will gain insights into the new features available in the Android XR SDK developer preview, acquiring crucial knowledge for the upcoming public launch of Android XR later this year.

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

Presenters: Cecilia Abadie, Senior Product Manager, and Jan Kleinert, Developer Relations Engineer

Uncover the future of immersive experiences with Android XR. This session will showcase the latest iterations of the Android XR SDK Beta, set to be launched at I/O, augmenting Jetpack Compose for XR alongside groundbreaking AI capabilities. Learn how to utilize your existing large screen development efforts to seamlessly transition into the promising realm of Android XR.