Android XR: The New Operating System for the Future of Immersive Devices | Generative ai use cases in sales | Generative ai google | Free generative ai online | Turtles AI

Android XR: The New Operating System for the Future of Immersive Devices
Google presents Android XR, a platform designed to integrate augmented and virtual reality with AI, along with Samsung’s Project Moohan headset
Isabella V13 December 2024

 

Google has unveiled Android XR, an innovative platform that aims to change the immersive experience between virtual, augmented and mixed reality. Integration with devices such as headsets and smart glasses, supported by Gemini AI, offers new possibilities for users and developers.

Key points:

  • Android XR is the new operating system for XR devices, developed in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm.
  • Gemini, Google’s AI, integrates visual and contextual functions to improve the interaction with technology.
  • The first headset, Samsung’s Project Moohan, will be launched in 2025, with the aim of dominating the XR market.
  • Android XR aims to simplify the transition of developers to this new ecosystem with familiar tools.

With the announcement of Android XR, Google has taken a decisive step in the evolution of immersive technology. This new platform, designed for virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) devices, aims to create a unified user experience that combines AI and interactive digital worlds, changing the very nature of everyday technological interactions. Android XR, whose launch was anticipated during a special event held on December 12, 2024, is not only an evolution of the Android operating system, but an ambitious proposal to dominate the growing sector of extended reality. Working with Samsung and Qualcomm, Google has decided to extend its ecosystem to include XR devices, unifying the use of immersive apps and content in a single operating system, and expanding the possibilities of applying generative AI, such as Gemini, to respond to user needs in real time. This move is part of a journey that Google has undertaken to diversify its technological offering, offering solutions suitable for both work and entertainment.

In the spotlight, Android XR is coming with a key device: Samsung’s Project Moohan. This headset, which will be released in 2025, promises to take full advantage of the capabilities offered by Android XR, integrating advanced technologies such as Qualcomm’s Snapdragon XR2 Plus Gen 2 processor, designed for top-level performance. Moohan is intended to be the initial pillar of the new line of devices, with design features that could change users’ expectations in terms of ergonomics and performance. The headset will allow you to easily switch between virtual and augmented reality, using a user interface that leverages Gemini’s capabilities for voice and visual control of the surrounding environment. The versatility of the device is also reflected in the wide range of applications, including YouTube, Google TV and Google Maps, which will be reimagined in 3D and VR. Furthermore, the adoption of Android XR will allow the use of all the apps already present in the Google Play Store, guaranteeing users seamless continuity of use.

A central aspect of Android XR is the integration of Gemini, Google’s AI assistant. Unlike traditional voice assistants, Gemini doesn’t just respond to voice commands; it can contextualize visual information, enriching the interaction with users by understanding the world around them, both virtual and real. With AI at the center of the experience, users will be able to ask Gemini to assist them with everyday tasks, such as planning a trip, translating texts or organizing work, all while interacting naturally with their environment. The promise of a seamless experience between the physical and digital worlds is one of the core ambitions of Android XR, which aims to make interacting with technology more intuitive and natural than ever.

The new operating system fits into an already familiar development ecosystem, thanks to support for platforms such as Unity, Jetpack Compose, ARCore and OpenXR. This familiarity will give developers the ability to easily bring their apps to the world of XR, minimizing the difficulties associated with the transition to a new technology. Google has worked to create a platform that is open and accessible, with the aim of attracting the widest possible number of developers and device manufacturers. The potential of Android XR is amplified by the compatibility with different devices, including AR smart glasses, which will be launched later as a natural extension of the Project Moohan headset. These glasses, planned for the future, promise to provide contextual information directly in the user’s field of vision, with Gemini always ready to respond in real time to voice and visual requests, supporting the user in daily activities such as consulting directions or managing messages.

Despite the success of Meta with its virtual reality ecosystem and Apple’s innovative proposal with Vision Pro, Android XR stands out for its ability to integrate a large ecosystem of apps already popular on Android, positioning itself as a versatile proposal for different needs, from professional to recreational. While competition is strong, Google is banking on its history of innovation and the widespread adoption of Android, a factor that could facilitate the transition of many users to the new world of XR.

With a launch planned for 2025 for Project Moohan and prototype AR glasses in the testing phase, the future of Android XR looks promising. It remains to be seen how this new operating system will establish itself in the market, but its ambitions are clear: to create a unified ecosystem that

Video