Google announces Android XR, its operating system for VR and smartglasses

The first device to feature the new OS will be Samsung’s mixed reality headset Project Moohan.

Google has announced Android XR, a new version of its Android operating system designed for extended reality (XR) devices. XR is an umbrella term that includes augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR).

Google says that Android XR will be created for the AI era and be deeply integrated with the company’s AI assistant, Gemini. Gemini will enable users to interact with both the physical world and 3D-projected environments while controlling various devices.

The OS, which is currently available as a preview for developers, will support key Google apps such as YouTube, Maps, and Google Play and include a Circle to Search feature, allowing users to find information about what they see with a gesture.

Samsung's mixed reality headset, codenamed Project Moohan, will be the first device to feature Android XR. It’s scheduled for release next year and will be powered by Qualcomm chips.

Samsung's press release doesn’t reveal many details about the device other than that it would be equipped with “state-of-the-art displays” and be lightweight.

According to Google, more companies, including Sony, Xreal, and Lynx, are also working to release hardware on its platform.

Google is developing a pair of smartglasses itself. The company says it will soon begin real-world testing of prototype glasses running Android XR with a small group of users.

Previously, the company made several entries into the smartglasses market. After the Google Glass project failed, the company focused on creating a version for enterprise use. However, it stopped selling the device last year.