Android XR

Android XR is an extended reality (XR) operating system developed by Google and based on Android. It was announced in December 2024 and will launch in 2025. The operating system is designed to support XR devices, including Samsung’s Project Moohan headset and a pair of smartglasses developed by Google DeepMind.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-03 |title=MWC 2025: My First Look at Samsung's Project Moohan XR Headset |url=https://www.pcmag.com/articles/mwc-2025-heres-a-first-look-at-samsungs-project-moohan-xr-headset-mwc-2025 |access-date=2025-03-09 |website=PCMAG |language=en}} Android XR is heavily integrated with the Gemini generative artificial intelligence–powered chatbot.

Following Google's earlier commercial failure of Google Glass, an earlier head-worn product, Google acquired VR companies Tilt Brush and Owlchemy Labs and made other ventures into head-worn computing products including the Google Cardboard and Google Daydream VR headsets, which were both eventually discontinued. In 2021, Google revived its XR efforts with a project internally codenamed Project Iris, an AR headset powered by a new operating system. However, Google shelved the project after Apple released the Vision Pro VR headset in 2024. One year later, Google announced Android XR as Project Iris' spiritual successor.

History

= Background =

{{Transcluded section|source=Project Iris#Background|title=Project Iris § Background}}

= Development =

In January 2022, The Verge reported that Google was building an AR headset as part of an effort internally codenamed Project Iris and overseen by Bavor. This coincided with Google rival Apple's own initiative to develop a mixed reality (MR) headset. After Apple outmaneuvered Google by unveiling its headset, the Vision Pro, in June 2023, which frustrated employees, Business Insider reported that Project Iris had been canceled as part of Google's company-wide cost-cutting measures earlier in the year, which saw mass layoffs and the departure of Bavor.

Earlier in 2022, Google executives had grown alarmed by reports on Apple's progress on the Vision Pro, which surpassed their own. The company struck a partnership with Android collaborator Samsung, in which they would develop the software for an MR headset manufactured by Samsung, codenamed Project Moohan. Tensions soon arose between the two companies, with Samsung consolidating its control over the project to prevent Google from building a rival product. "Moohan" is a reference to the Korean word for infinity. Google also acquired Raxium, an AR hardware startup, for approximately $1 billion in March 2022, which was completed a month later.

After Iris' cancellation, Google shifted its focus from hardware to software, which they hoped to license to third-party Android manufacturers. Lucovsky left the company and Shahram Izadi assumed leadership of Google's AR division, reporting to Google senior vice president Hiroshi Lockheimer. A new team under Izadi began incorporating Iris' code into a new project codenamed Betty, intended to be part of a "Micro XR" platform that would be pitched to manufacturers. The former Raxium team continued to explore potential AR hardware projects under Greco's supervision, but was reportedly "firewalled" from the Moohan and Betty crews. A Google employee described the situation as "a weird bureaucratic mess".

Meanwhile, at the annual Google I/O keynote in May 2024, Google demonstrated a pair of prototype smartglasses powered by Project Astra, a multimodal "AI assistant" from Google DeepMind that uses the Gemini Ultra large language model. These smartglasses were visually distinct from the Project Iris prototype demonstrated at I/O two years prior, indicating they were separate projects. In a rare public appearance, Google co-founder Sergey Brin called the glasses "the perfect hardware" for artificial intelligence (AI), acknowledging that Glass had been ahead of its time: "Unfortunately, we sort of messed up on the timing. I sort of wish I timed it a bit better." Following the event, Business Insider reported that Google's XR platform would be named Android XR, was targeting an early 2025 launch, and would leverage Raxium's optical technology.

= Launch =

Google announced the Android XR operating system on December 12, 2024, in New York City, with plans to launch it on Samsung's Moohan headset the following year. Viewed as the successor to Glass, Cardboard, and Daydream, the operating system was developed in collaboration with Samsung and Qualcomm and is heavily integrated with Gemini, Google's generative AI–powered chatbot. In addition to Moohan, Google unveiled the Project Astra smartglasses it had previously demoed, also powered by Android XR and aiming for a 2025 release, though no definite timeline was set for the latter. The glasses employ Raxium's microLED technology, allowing for "bright images without using a lot of power".

Contrasting Android XR with the Vision Pro, Izadi and Android chief Sameer Samat emphasized the open-platform nature of Google's approach, as opposed to Apple's walled garden strategy. Victoria Song of The Verge compared the experience of wearing these glasses to J.A.R.V.I.S., a fictional AI in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Ryan Christoffel of 9to5Mac and Mark Gurman of Bloomberg News noted Moohan's visual resemblance to the Vision Pro. Several journalists who attended the announcement reflected on Google's decade-long journey from Glass to the present day.

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=David |date=April 4, 2012 |title=Google unveils 'Project Glass' virtual-reality glasses |url=https://money.cnn.com/2012/04/04/technology/google-project-glass/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120407224859/https://money.cnn.com/2012/04/04/technology/google-project-glass/ |archive-date=April 7, 2012 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |publisher=CNN Money}}

{{Cite news |last=Arthur |first=Charles |date=March 3, 2013 |title=Google Glass: is it a threat to our privacy? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/06/google-glass-threat-to-our-privacy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921220754/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/mar/06/google-glass-threat-to-our-privacy |archive-date=September 21, 2013 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Luckerson |first=Victor |date=January 15, 2015 |title=Google Will Stop Selling Glass Next Week |url=https://time.com/3669927/google-glass-explorer-program-ends/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150115192752/https://time.com/3669927/google-glass-explorer-program-ends/ |archive-date=January 15, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |magazine=Time}}

{{Cite web |last=Savov |first=Vlad |date=July 18, 2017 |title=Google Glass gets a second chance in factories, where it's likely to remain |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/18/15988258/google-glass-2-enterprise-edition-factories |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718164035/https://www.theverge.com/2017/7/18/15988258/google-glass-2-enterprise-edition-factories |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite web |last=Stein |first=Scott |date=May 7, 2019 |title=Google won't release an Oculus Quest VR competitor anytime soon |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/google-wont-release-its-oculus-quest-vr-competitor-anytime-soon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828093728/https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/google-wont-release-its-oculus-quest-vr-competitor-anytime-soon/ |archive-date=August 28, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=CNET}}

{{Cite web |last=Bastone |first=Nick |date=February 14, 2020 |title=As Apple and Facebook Embrace AR Fully, Google Takes It Slow |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/as-apple-and-facebook-embrace-ar-fully-google-takes-it-slow |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215200245/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/as-apple-and-facebook-embrace-ar-fully-google-takes-it-slow |archive-date=February 15, 2020 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=The Information}}

{{Cite web |last=Bursztynsky |first=Jessica |date=June 30, 2021 |title=Google acquires North, which makes smart glasses similar to Google Glass |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/30/google-acquires-north-augmented-reality-glasses-start-up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701200656/https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/30/google-acquires-north-augmented-reality-glasses-start-up.html |archive-date=July 1, 2020 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |publisher=CNBC}}

{{Cite web |last=Langley |first=Hugh |date=August 22, 2023 |title=Google's augmented-reality dream turned into chaos. Insiders say constant pivots are delaying its master plan to chase Apple. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/google-ar-augmented-reality-apple-project-iris-fail-2023-8 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822181110/https://www.businessinsider.com/google-ar-augmented-reality-apple-project-iris-fail-2023-8 |archive-date=August 22, 2023 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Business Insider}}

{{Cite web |last=Eadicicco |first=Lisa |date=August 2, 2021 |title=Google wants its new chip to totally transform the smartphone. Its hardware chief tells us how. |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/google-pixel-6-tensor-processor-ar-rick-osterloh-interview-2021-8 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802230330/https://www.businessinsider.com/google-pixel-6-tensor-processor-ar-rick-osterloh-interview-2021-8 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=Business Insider}}

{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=October 26, 2021 |title=Sundar Pichai says Google hardware & platform teams are 'thinking through' AR |url=https://9to5google.com/2021/10/26/sundar-pichai-google-ar/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211027001218/https://9to5google.com/2021/10/26/sundar-pichai-google-ar/ |archive-date=October 27, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=9to5Google}}

{{Cite web |last=Perez |first=Sarah |date=November 11, 2021 |title=Google reorg moves AR, VR, Starline and Area 120 into new 'Labs' team |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/11/google-reorg-moves-ar-vr-starline-and-area-120-into-new-labs-team-reporting-directly-to-sundar-pichai/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111202202/https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/11/google-reorg-moves-ar-vr-starline-and-area-120-into-new-labs-team-reporting-directly-to-sundar-pichai/ |archive-date=November 11, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=TechCrunch}}

{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Jon |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Google staffs up to build OS for unknown 'innovative AR device' |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/14/22833801/google-augmented-reality-operating-system-ar-os-team-mark-lucovsky |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211214100718/https://www.theverge.com/2021/12/14/22833801/google-augmented-reality-operating-system-ar-os-team-mark-lucovsky |archive-date=December 14, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite news |last=Metz |first=Cade |date=December 30, 2021 |title=Everybody Into the Metaverse! Virtual Reality Beckons Big Tech. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/technology/metaverse-virtual-reality-big-tech.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211230081056/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/technology/metaverse-virtual-reality-big-tech.html |archive-date=December 30, 2021 |access-date=December 31, 2021 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

{{Cite web |last=Heath |first=Alex |date=January 20, 2022 |title=Google is building an AR headset |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/20/22892152/google-project-iris-ar-headset-2024 |url-access= |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120171401/https://www.theverge.com/2022/1/20/22892152/google-project-iris-ar-headset-2024 |archive-date=January 20, 2022 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite news |last1=Mickle |first1=Tripp |last2=Chen |first2=Brian |date=June 4, 2022 |title=Apple Starts Connecting the Dots for Its Next Big Thing |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/04/business/apple-virtual-reality-headset.html |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605063114/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/04/business/apple-virtual-reality-headset.html |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}

{{Cite news |last=Fowler |first=Geoffrey |date=June 5, 2023 |title=Apple unveils Vision Pro, its $3,499 augmented-reality headset |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/06/05/apple-headset-vision-pro/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605192955/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/06/05/apple-headset-vision-pro/ |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 5, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}

{{Cite web |last=Langley |first=Hugh |date=June 26, 2023 |title=Google killed its Iris augmented-reality smart glasses as it shifts attention to building AR software |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/google-ar-iris-augmented-reality-smart-glasses-2023-6 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627033400/https://www.businessinsider.com/google-ar-iris-augmented-reality-smart-glasses-2023-6 |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=Business Insider}}

{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=June 27, 2023 |title=Google has reportedly killed its Project Iris augmented reality glasses |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/27/23776144/google-project-iris-ar-glasses-goggles-dead-alive |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627222329/https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/27/23776144/google-project-iris-ar-glasses-goggles-dead-alive |archive-date=June 27, 2023 |access-date=July 5, 2023 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite web |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=August 23, 2023 |title="Project Moohan" is Google and Samsung's inevitable Apple Vision Pro clone |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/project-moohan-is-google-and-samsungs-inevitable-apple-vision-pro-clone/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230823204351/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/project-moohan-is-google-and-samsungs-inevitable-apple-vision-pro-clone/ |archive-date=August 23, 2023 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Ars Technica}}

{{Cite news |last=Velazco |first=Chris |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Google and Samsung's first AI face computer to arrive next year |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/12/android-xr-google-samsung-headset-glasses/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212182037/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/12/12/android-xr-google-samsung-headset-glasses/ |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 12, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286}}

{{Cite web |last1=Sisco |first1=Josh |last2=Nellis |first2=Stephen |last3=Olson |first3=Mathew |last4=Krouse |first4=Sarah |date=March 16, 2022 |title=Google Buys Hardware Startup Raxium to Fuel AR Ambitions |url=https://www.theinformation.com/articles/google-buys-hardware-startup-raxium-to-fuel-ar-ambitions |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316183353/https://www.theinformation.com/articles/google-buys-hardware-startup-raxium-to-fuel-ar-ambitions |archive-date=March 16, 2022 |access-date=March 19, 2022 |website=The Information}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Trueman |first=Charlotte |date=May 5, 2022 |title=Google acquires Raxium in augmented reality push |url=https://www.computerworld.com/article/3659830/google-acquires-raxium-in-augmented-reality-push.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505112912/https://www.computerworld.com/article/3659830/google-acquires-raxium-in-augmented-reality-push.html |archive-date=May 5, 2022 |access-date=May 10, 2022 |magazine=Computerworld}}

{{Cite news |last1=Morris |first1=Stephen |last2=Murgia |first2=Madhumita |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Google advances AI vision with launch of Project Astra assistant |url=https://www.ft.com/content/fc2f9c44-76ad-4f00-8f1a-e15d268660f2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514181358/https://www.ft.com/content/fc2f9c44-76ad-4f00-8f1a-e15d268660f2 |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=December 12, 2024 |newspaper=Financial Times |issn=0307-1766}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Knight |first=Will |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Project Astra Is Google's 'Multimodal' Answer to the New ChatGPT |url=https://www.wired.com/story/google-io-astra-multimodal-answer-chatgpt/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514183736/https://www.wired.com/story/google-io-astra-multimodal-answer-chatgpt/ |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=December 12, 2024 |magazine=Wired}}

{{Cite web |last=Hollister |first=Sean |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Blink and you missed it: Google has a new pair of prototype AR glasses |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/14/24156518/google-glass-prototype-ar-glasses-io-2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240514202811/https://www.theverge.com/2024/5/14/24156518/google-glass-prototype-ar-glasses-io-2024 |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite web |last=Altchek |first=Ana |date=May 15, 2024 |title=Sergey Brin says Google was 10 years too early with Google Glass — but they'd be perfect for AI |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/sergey-brin-google-glass-ai-killer-app-comments-project-astra-2024-5 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515183139/https://www.businessinsider.com/sergey-brin-google-glass-ai-killer-app-comments-project-astra-2024-5 |archive-date=May 15, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Business Insider}}

{{Cite news |last1=Alba |first1=Davey |last2=Ghaffary |first2=Shirin |date=May 14, 2024 |title=Google Executives Hint That AR Glasses Are Poised for a Comeback |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-14/google-executives-hint-that-ar-glasses-are-poised-for-a-comeback |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514234157/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-05-14/google-executives-hint-that-ar-glasses-are-poised-for-a-comeback |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |publisher=Bloomberg News}}

{{Cite web |last=Langley |first=Hugh |date=July 12, 2024 |title=Google revamps its ambitions for AR glasses to make up lost ground and stem defectors to Meta |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/google-augmented-reality-reset-xr-glasses-android-qualcomm-2024-7 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712104140/https://www.businessinsider.com/google-augmented-reality-reset-xr-glasses-android-qualcomm-2024-7 |archive-date=July 12, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Business Insider}}

{{Cite web |last=Pierce |first=David |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Google announces Android XR, a new OS for headsets and smart glasses |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12/24319538/google-android-xr-ar-vr-smart-glasses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212182108/https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12/24319538/google-android-xr-ar-vr-smart-glasses |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 12, 2024 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Chokkattu |first=Julian |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Hands On With Android XR and Google's AI-Powered Smart Glasses |url=https://www.wired.com/story/google-android-xr-demo-smart-glasses-mixed-reality-headset-project-moohan/ |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212234724/https://www.wired.com/story/google-android-xr-demo-smart-glasses-mixed-reality-headset-project-moohan/ |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 12, 2024 |magazine=Wired}}

{{Cite web |last=Zeff |first=Maxwell |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Google wants to sell those Project Astra AR glasses some day, but it won't be today |url=https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/12/google-wants-to-sell-those-project-astra-ar-glasses-some-day-but-it-wont-be-today/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213001305/https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/12/google-wants-to-sell-those-project-astra-ar-glasses-some-day-but-it-wont-be-today/ |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=TechCrunch}}

{{Cite news |last=Gurman |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Gurman (journalist) |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Google Unveils Mixed-Reality Headset With Samsung, Taking on Apple and Meta |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-12/hands-on-test-of-new-android-headset-from-samsung-and-google |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241212172725/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-12/hands-on-test-of-new-android-headset-from-samsung-and-google |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |publisher=Bloomberg News}}

{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=December 12, 2024 |title=One day... realized: Hands-on with Google's Android XR glasses |url=https://9to5google.com/2024/12/12/hands-on-android-xr-glasses/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212234651/https://9to5google.com/2024/12/12/hands-on-android-xr-glasses/ |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=9to5Google}}

{{Cite web |last=Song |first=Victoria |date=December 12, 2024 |title=I saw Google's plan to put Android on your face |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12/24319528/google-android-xr-samsung-project-moohan-smart-glasses |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212222124/https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/12/24319528/google-android-xr-samsung-project-moohan-smart-glasses |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=The Verge}}

{{Cite web |last=Christoffel |first=Ryan |date=December 12, 2024 |title=This Vision Pro clone from Samsung and Google is good news for Apple users |url=https://9to5mac.com/2024/12/12/vision-pro-clone-from-samsung-and-google-good-news-for-apple/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212222326/https://9to5mac.com/2024/12/12/vision-pro-clone-from-samsung-and-google-good-news-for-apple/ |archive-date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=9to5Mac}}

{{Cite magazine |last=Eaton |first=Kit |date=December 12, 2024 |title=Google Hints at a Return to the Smart Glasses Game |url=https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/google-hints-at-a-return-to-the-smart-glasses-game/91064969 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213000437/https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/google-hints-at-a-return-to-the-smart-glasses-game/91064969 |archive-date=December 13, 2024 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |magazine=Inc.}}

}}