The Android Show: New features for Galaxy XR and a look at future devices

Last December, we introduced our vision for Android XR, and last month, we took another step towards that reality with the launch of the Samsung Galaxy XR headset. The response has been incredible to see.

Today, at The Android Show: XR Edition, we shared what's next for the broader Android XR ecosystem.

Bringing more helpful features to your headset

We're releasing new updates for the Galaxy XR starting today. These new updates are designed to help you fully experience the spatial capabilities of Android XR and allow you fit your headset naturally into the things you do everyday.

To expand your workspace, we're introducing PC Connect. It allows you to link your Windows PC to your headset, then pull in your desktop or a window from your computer and place it side-by-side with native apps from Google Play. This lets you stay productive - or play PC games - in a way that's just not possible on a laptop screen. PC Connect starts rolling out today in beta.

We're also making it easier to bring your headset into other parts of your life. With travel mode, you can turn a cramped flight into a personal cinema or immersive workspace, with a view that stays stable even when you're in motion. And to help you stay connected while using your headset for video calls, you can now create your Likeness - a realistic digital representation of your face that mirrors your facial expressions and hand gestures in real-time. This allows others to see you authentically while you're using your Android XR headset for video calls, making your interactions feel natural and personal.

Likeness starts rolling out today in beta ¹ , and you can visit our Help Center for more information on how to get started.

With PC Connect, you can stream PC games to your headset and ask Gemini for real-time gameplay tips.

Travel mode stabilizes your view, allowing you to multitask with multiple windows or enjoy entertainment on your headset while on airplanes.

Your Likeness lets others see a realistic digital representation of yourself, mirroring your expressions, mouth, and head movements for authentic video calls.

Building the XR ecosystem

For AI and XR to be truly helpful, the hardware needs to fit seamlessly into your life and match your personal style. One form factor doesn't fit all, so we're building Android XR to support a diverse range of devices. We want to give you the freedom to choose the right balance of weight, style and immersion for your needs.

AI glasses

At I/O, we announced we are working with Samsung and our partners Gentle Monster and Warby Parker to design stylish, lightweight glasses that you can wear comfortably all day. With our partners, we are working to create two types of glasses.

First, there are AI glasses designed for screen-free assistance, which use built-in speakers, microphones and cameras to let you chat naturally with Gemini, take photos and get help. And then there are display AI glasses, which add an in-lens display that privately shows you helpful information, right when you need it, like turn-by-turn navigation or translation captions. The first glasses will arrive next year.

AI glasses let you use your camera and microphone to ask Gemini questions about your surroundings.

You can use Gemini on AI glasses to remember what's important

Display AI glasses can show helpful information, like live translation captions, directly in your line of sight.

Wired XR Glasses

Android XR will also support wired XR glasses that offer the unique blend of headset-like immersion and real-world presence in a portable form factor. Today, we shared a first look at Project Aura from XREAL, the first Android XR device in this category. Equipped with a 70-degree field of view and optical see-through technology, these devices layer digital content directly onto your view of the physical world. This gives you a massive, private canvas to place multiple windows, allowing you to take your workspace or entertainment with you without blocking out your surroundings. They are perfect for practical everyday uses, too - like following a floating recipe video while you cook or seeing step-by-step visual guides anchored to an appliance you are fixing. We look forward to sharing more about the launch of Project Aura next year.

Take your workspace or entertainment anywhere with Project Aura from XREAL.

Working together with developers

The hardware and platforms are just the canvas, so we're inviting developers to join us in co-creating this next evolution of computing. To make these new experiences possible, we're launching Developer Preview 3 of the Android XR SDK.

This update officially opens up development for AI glasses, giving developers the tools and APIs to design the kind of helpful, augmented experiences we're seeing from partners like Uber and GetYourGuide. In addition, we are releasing new functionality to help developers build richer, more immersive experiences for headsets and wired XR glasses.

Developers can learn more and get started on our Android Developer Blog. For everyone else, you can stay tuned for updates on device availability by joining our newsletter.

• Android
• XR and AR