Google has officially announced Android XR, a new operating system for extended reality (XR) devices. XR serves as a broad term encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) headsets. This marks Google’s entry into the XR space, positioning Android XR as a competitor to Apple’s visionOS, which powers the Vision Pro headset.
It aims to provide users with a robust platform integrating Google’s popular apps, including Maps, YouTube, Chrome, and Photos. Additionally, it will support other apps available on the Google Play Store, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of applications. Moreover, Google has emphasized that Chrome on Android XR will offer enhanced multitasking capabilities, allowing users to open and organize browser tabs according to their preferences.
A key feature of Android XR is the integration of Google’s Gemini AI, which is expected to be central to the user experience. Gemini will assist users with various tasks and enable advanced functionalities, such as capturing audio and video, simplifying interactions, and enhancing overall usability.
Although it is still in its early stages of development, Google plans to launch products powered by this new operating system as early as next year. Google and Samsung are actively collaborating on an XR headset codenamed Moohan, expected to launch in 2025. Featuring advanced capabilities and AI integration, Android XR aims to redefine the future of extended reality technology.