Google has unveiled a beta version of PC Connect, a virtual desktop application designed for Android XR users. This innovative app allows individuals to stream content directly from their Windows PCs, enhancing the user experience with a focus on both functionality and performance. The rollout coincides with the latest version of Android XR, which is also being made available this week. To utilize PC Connect, users will need to install a companion app on their Windows PC.
The Features
According to Google, PC Connect is specifically optimized for streaming desktop applications, prioritizing low latency and high frame rates to ensure that flat games streamed from the PC maintain a responsive feel. The app allows for input crossover, enabling users to control the virtual desktop either through the headset or via traditional keyboard and mouse setups on the host computer. This integration means that the computer’s mouse and keyboard can seamlessly extend into the Android XR environment, providing a unified control experience.
During a recent demonstration, Google showcased how desktop applications and games could be run from a nearby laptop. A standout feature was the Gemini assistant, which can recognize streamed applications just as it does local ones, allowing for a fluid interaction with the system. One of the most impressive aspects of the demo was the new ‘auto-stereo’ feature, which converts flat content into stereoscopic 3D in real-time at the system level. This means that any window opened within Android XR, including the PC Connect interface, can be transformed into a three-dimensional experience.
In a hands-on session, I had the opportunity to play Stray (2022) streamed from a laptop using a gamepad. The auto-stereo feature, which operates independently of the game’s rendering on the host device, successfully added depth to the game’s intricate world. However, I did encounter some performance stutters during gameplay, leaving me curious whether the issues stemmed from the laptop’s rendering capabilities, Wi-Fi stability, or the auto-stereo feature itself. I look forward to testing both PC Connect and the auto-stereo functionality more thoroughly once I have access to them on my own headset.
Market Position
While PC Connect is not the first virtual desktop streaming application for XR headsets, it marks Google’s acknowledgment of a growing demand among Android XR users for such tools. Unlike its competitor, Virtual Desktop, which carries a price tag of , PC Connect is offered free of charge, making it an attractive option for those who may be hesitant to invest in virtual desktop technology.
At launch, PC Connect does not support streaming PC VR content to the headset, an area where Virtual Desktop currently holds an advantage. However, Google has hinted that this capability may be introduced in future updates.
The combination of PC Connect and the auto-stereo feature presents an intriguing prospect. If the auto-stereo functionality proves effective across a range of games, it could significantly enhance the appeal of flat PC games, providing a compelling reason to engage with them in a headset rather than on a conventional monitor. While the effectiveness of the auto-stereo feature may vary by game, there is optimism that improvements will come as Android XR headsets evolve.
A key question remains regarding the connectivity of PC Connect: whether it establishes a direct Wi-Fi link between the PC and the headset, akin to the Vision Pro, or if both devices must connect via an intermediary Wi-Fi network. A direct connection would offer greater reliability, enabling users to stream content even in low-performance Wi-Fi environments, such as on an airplane.
Lastly, the absence of Mac support for PC Connect at launch raises some eyebrows. While it appears that Mac compatibility is not included initially, it would not be surprising if Google expands the app’s reach to include Mac users in future updates.
