Android is gearing up for an XR headset launch – as a minimal, that is basically based mostly on leaked Play Retailer code this capability that that VR, AR, and MR tech esteem headsets and glasses will likely be ready to discover (or in some situations no longer discover) Play Retailer apps directly.
Android Authority stumbled on two XR references hidden within the code for the latest version (43.3.32-31) of the Google Play Retailer app. The significant is an icon that may per chance well well seem next to a tool name when the customer is choosing the put to put in an app; in prefer to being the mobile phone, Chromebook or tablet icons we’re primitive to, this icon looks esteem a pair of goggles – that is, rather esteem a VR headset.
The 2d clue is extra suppose, within the form of a warning tag alerting the customer that ‘This XR Headset isn’t like minded with this app’. This means that builders also can must add an replace to bring their instrument to Android XR devices.
So is an XR version of Android and the Play Retailer coming? Doubtlessly.
No longer terrifying, however when will it launch
We know that Google and Samsung are partnering on some XR stuff, and whereas the specifics are up within the air it be been assumed Samsung used to be providing the hardware (a Samsung XR headset) and Google the instrument (some version of Android), alongside the lines of their Samsung Galaxy mobile phone collaboration.
What’s extra, a Samsung AR glasses patent we highlighted honest no longer too prolonged within the past confirmed that the planned tool runs on Android. Leaks, patents, and speculation aren’t as reliable as decent files – so take these crucial facets with a pinch of salt – however as the pronouncing goes, the put there’s smoke there’s fire.
Google and Samsung had beforehand teased that we’d discover about their XR efforts sometime before the tip of 2024; on the opposite hand with stories that the Samsung hardware is delayed that promise also can no longer be kept.
That talked about, there may per chance be already (roughly) an Android VR headset available; essentially there are a couple of. The Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S and various HorizonOS devices bustle on an working system that used to be derived from Android. While HorizonOS will likely remain its have entity, if Google needs to muscle in even with out its have hardware it’ll also launch an XR Play Retailer that’s downloadable on Quest.
The Quest hardware does already play good with third-occasion launches esteem SideQuest, and given the need of ravishing disputes about platforms being too closed off – equivalent to Apple walling off its devices by ideal allowing installs by means of its App Retailer (which has been described as monopolistic) – Meta also can wish to discover before identical accusations by allowing the Play Retailer onto its tech.
That is in point of fact something of a pipe dream, however we’ll must back and stumble on what Samsung and Google snarl within the upcoming months. If Google is able to lunge however Samsung just isn’t, presumably the XR Play Retailer will launch in other places first.
