Google and Samsung have introduced Android XR, a new operating system for immersive devices.
According to Google’s official blog post, “Android XR combines years of investment in AI, AR and VR to bring helpful experiences to headsets and glasses.”
Samsung’s own announcement describes XR as “an umbrella term for technologies that use digital elements to extend or alter reality by merging the physical and digital worlds together.”
So, what could this mean for regular people? Picture sitting on your couch, putting a headset on, and opening apps that hover in midair. Need help? The Gemini AI assistant can help guide you.
“With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world. You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you’re seeing or control your device. Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks,” Google said.
This could mean checking directions in a city without ever having to look at your phone. Is this a glimpse of the way we will handle information and entertainment in a few years?
Comfort and Quality at the Forefront
In terms of hardware, Samsung’s headset, code-named Project Moohan, is expected next year. Samsung’s blog post says that it will feature “state-of-the-art displays” and a comfortable fit, showing that the two companies know how important it is to balance technology with comfort. “We believe it has the potential to unlock new and meaningful ways to interact with the world by truly resonating with your everyday lives,” said Won-Joon Choi, EVP and Head of R&D at Samsung’s Mobile eXperience Business.
Addressing the Price Challenge
Still, concerns remain. Pricing could be a stumbling block (just look at Apple’s Vision Pro’s $3,499 price tag). Samsung acknowledges this, stating, “We are fully aware that price has previously prevented this technology from being widely adopted.” Affordability and ease of use will be key if these devices hope to move beyond a niche audience.
Building on Familiar Foundations
What’s interesting is the way Google’s nudging developers Google’s post highlights that this new platform supports familiar Android development tools, which may lead to a wider range of apps. Google states, “By supporting tools like ARCore, Android Studio, Jetpack Compose, Unity, and OpenXR from the beginning, developers can easily start building apps and games for upcoming Android XR devices.” If the learning curve remains manageable, this could open the door for creative innovations that, until recently, felt undoable. They’re basically saying, if you know how to create Android apps, you’re halfway there already.
Moving Toward a Wider Future
While none of this guarantees immediate mainstream adoption, it’s a strong indication that two tech giants believe immersive computing could one day be part of our daily routines. Will a future headset or pair of glasses become as common as smartphones are today? That’s the question many are asking. For now, Google and Samsung appear ready to test that idea, betting that their combined expertise will turn a promising vision into something people might actually want and use every day.
Opinion:
Honestly, the idea of wearing a lightweight headset and casually browsing midair menus or using a voice assistant that just “knows” what we need help with, and provides it, sounds surprisingly natural. It’s something that, if done well, could blend right into our lives without feeling forced. It’s kind of thrilling to think these headsets might soon feel as ordinary as picking up our phones, and while we’re obviously not there yet, the steps taken by Google and Samsung give us a reason to pay close attention.