Google & Samsung Launches Android XR: Extended Reality Operating System For VR, AR And MR Devices

Following the Gemini 2.0 announcement, Google on Thursday, introduced Android XR, a new operating system for extended reality(XR), in collaboration with Samsung. The is set to expand Android's ecosystem into spatial computing, with a focus on both headsets and smart glasses.

Android XR will feature Gemini AI, with capabilities for spatial computing where users can interact with apps and the environment in three-dimensional space. It will also support other Play Store apps and offer enhanced multitasking capabilities.

The new operating system which is seen as a direct competition to Apple's Vision Pro and Meta Quest's Horizon OS, is designed to support a range of devices, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) headsets. It will bring many of Google’s apps, such as Maps, YouTube, Chrome, and Photos, to the platform.

"We started Android over a decade ago with a simple idea: transform computing for everyone," Shahram Izadi VP & GM, XR, wrote in a blog post announcing Android XR. "Android powers more than just phones -- it’s on tablets, watches, TVs, cars and more. Now, we're taking the next step into the future. Advancements in AI are making interacting with computers more natural and conversational. This inflection point enables new extended reality (XR) devices, like headsets and glasses, to understand your intent and the world around you, helping you get things done in entirely new ways."

The collaboration with Samsung internally codenamed Project Moohan is the first device to be powered by Android XR, with Qualcomm chipset.

The Project Moohan headset is expected to resemble high-end devices like Apple's Vision Pro, suggesting it will offer immersive experiences with potential features like high-resolution displays, natural multi-modal input, and ergonomic design for comfort.

Samsung promised that its headset would offer "state-of-the-art displays, Passthrough capabilities and natural multi-modal input," according to a statement released as Google announced its new XR platform.

The electronics giant which notes that "Moohan" means "infinity" in Korean, hopes to take advantage of the infinite space that virtual reality affords to offer immersive experiences. Those could include using a spatial computing version of Google Maps to explore the world, watch sporting events on YouTube and interact with Gemini AI assistant.

Qualcomm also confirmed that the Samsung headset will run on Snapdragon XR Plus Gen 2 silicon, which offers support for up to 4.3K resolution in each eye, running at 90 frames per second. This chip is also supposed to boost CPU and GPU frequency by 20% and 15%, respectively, when compared to the Snapdragon XR Gen 2 chip that powers the Meta Quest 3.