Android XR Is On the Horizon – But Don’t Expect Any Official Announcements from Google Just Yet

Google has rolled out the schedule for its I/O developer conference, and it’s packed with sessions designed to offer more details on the upcoming Android XR operating system. However, if you’re expecting Google to go all out promoting Android XR, the schedule doesn’t seem to indicate that just yet.

Since its announcement in December, alongside Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ mixed reality headset, Android XR hasn’t had much of a spotlight. Neither has a set launch date, although both are anticipated to debut to the public sometime this year.

Google has confirmed several features for Android XR, such as the eagerly awaited support for passthrough camera access, and it has also provided developers with access to its Android XR SDK. Yet, the real test lies in how it will measure up against more established XR ecosystems like Meta’s Horizon OS and Apple’s visionOS.

The I/O event, running from May 20th to 21st, includes numerous livestreamed keynotes. Interestingly, though, only two sessions specifically focusing on Android XR have been announced, and neither of these will be livestreamed. There will, however, be a ‘What’s New in Android’ presentation that is expected to cover Android XR.

Even without a livestream, the two developer talks about Android XR signal Google’s intent to create a developer-friendly environment as it continues integrating XR into the broader Android framework, albeit subtly, away from the glare of a livestream audience.

From the session descriptions, here’s what we can glean: Android XR is on track for a public launch later this year. Ahead of this, Google is readying a novel XR toolchain, which will integrate Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore into the XR-specific version of Jetpack. Now available in developer preview, Jetpack XR allows developers of Android apps, whether for mobile or large screens, to craft spatial layouts using 3D models and immersive settings. The integration of ARCore with Jetpack XR suggests Google is unifying its spatial computing tools, streamlining the development of both AR and VR experiences.

Further, the discussions will focus on how to incorporate XR features like 3D models, hand-tracking, and stereoscopic video into existing apps. This indicates Android XR isn’t just targeting game developers. Google appears intent on aligning Android XR with the broader ecosystem of Android apps.

Additionally, Google plans to extend Jetpack Compose—its declarative UI toolkit—to XR. This move points to an effort to standardize UI design across mobile, tablet, and XR, thus easing the transition or adaptation of interfaces for immersive environments.

Of note is the second talk that details upcoming AI capabilities within Android XR. This could hint at features like real-time object recognition, scene understanding, or AI-generated environments being on the horizon.

The absence of livestreams for these talks may suggest that Google isn’t quite ready to make a big splash with Android XR. Additionally, we anticipate hearing more about Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’ headset, expected to be the first to support Android XR.

Regardless, we’ll be closely tuned into the livestreams and technical discussions, eager to uncover any new developments.

### Building Differentiated Apps for Android XR with 3D Content
Join Dereck Bridié and Patrick Fuentes, Developer Relations Engineers, for an inside look at Jetpack SceneCore and ARCore for Jetpack XR. They’ll guide developers on integrating immersive content like 3D models, stereoscopic video, and hand-tracking into existing apps. Attendees will explore new features in the Android XR SDK developer preview and gain valuable insights ahead of Android XR’s 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 dive into the latest updates of the Android XR SDK Beta, set to launch at I/O. This session will cover enhancements to Jetpack Compose for XR and introduce cutting-edge AI capabilities. Discover how your current investments in large-screen development can seamlessly expand into the thrilling world of Android XR.