Google has just unveiled the agenda for their upcoming I/O developer conference, featuring events focused on Android XR—a new operating system that’s set to add a fresh dimension to the Android ecosystem. However, the tech giant is still keeping most details under wraps for now.
Since its announcement last December, Android XR has largely stayed under the radar, appearing alongside Samsung’s intriguing mixed reality headset known as ‘Project Moohan’. Expectations are high for both to make their public debuts later this year, though firm dates remain elusive.
Google has already let slip some tantalizing features for Android XR, like passthrough camera support, even granting developers an opportunity to play with its Android XR SDK. How this will measure up to established XR platforms like Meta’s Horizon OS or Apple’s visionOS remains a point of curiosity.
Scheduled from May 20th to 21st, the Google I/O event will host numerous livestreamed sessions, although, surprisingly, only two are dedicated to Android XR specifically, and neither will be visible to the public online. There is, however, a ‘What’s New in Android’ livestream that may touch briefly on these XR developments.
The absence of livestreams suggests a strategic focus on reaching out to developers rather than a broad audience for now. Google seems poised to cultivate interest from developers accustomed to the Android ecosystem, maybe setting the stage for a more pronounced future role in XR.
From what’s planned at the conference, it looks like Android XR is edging closer to public release. Google has introduced a new XR toolchain, which combines Jetpack SceneCore with ARCore, into its XR-specific version of Jetpack. This integration will enable developers to craft 3D models and immersive environments efficiently. The unification of these tools signals Google’s ambition to offer a streamlined platform for both AR and VR content creation.
Google desires to pull in developers from various fields by enhancing existing apps with new XR features like 3D models, hand-tracking, and stereoscopic video, striving for seamless integration with the existing Android framework.
Another exciting development is Google’s decision to extend Jetpack Compose, a UI toolkit for app development, into the XR space. This move indicates a push towards a cohesive user interface across mobile devices and XR setups, simplifying the transition for app developers.
The anticipated AI advancements in Android XR could bring forward-thinking innovations like real-time object recognition and scene understanding, though these remain speculative for now.
As Google takes cautious steps in rolling out Android XR, users eagerly await insights into Samsung’s ‘Project Moohan’, anticipated to be the first to support Google’s XR platform.
Even without livestreams available for these particular talks, I’ll be closely monitoring and sharing any groundbreaking updates. Stay tuned as more details emerge from the developer conference, potentially offering a glimpse into the future of immersive technology.
