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Android XR

Sneak peek: Google’s Android XR glasses app shows off AI features, camera, and display options
AppWizard
January 14, 2026

Sneak peek: Google’s Android XR glasses app shows off AI features, camera, and display options

Google is developing two types of smart glasses: a lightweight, screen-free model in collaboration with fashion brands and a display-equipped version with hardware partners like Samsung and Magic Leap. A companion app for the glasses has been identified, featuring a pairing process and settings for power management and camera functionality. The app includes AI capabilities such as 'Conversation detection' to silence notifications during conversations, and it ensures that all recorded data remains private to the user. Additional features in the app allow for display adjustments and an "audio only mode."
Google’s Android XR ‘Glasses’ app surfaces with quick look at camera, display settings [Gallery]
AppWizard
January 13, 2026

Google’s Android XR ‘Glasses’ app surfaces with quick look at camera, display settings [Gallery]

Google is developing Android XR glasses, evidenced by a new companion app in Android Canary builds with the package name “com.google.android.glasses.companion.” The app features a basic interface for setting up glasses and exploring purchasing options, although the purchase button is inactive. It includes functionalities for importing photos and videos via a built-in camera, with video capture available at 1080p and an experimental 3K mode. The app has a feature called “Conversation detection” that mutes notifications when the user is speaking, ensuring privacy by processing data on-device. Additional features include display settings like brightness control and an “audio-only” mode. The first Android XR glasses are expected to debut from Samsung in 2026, indicating a reliance on Google’s software for the hardware.
Android Central's Best of 2025 Awards: The best phones, smartwatches, tablets, apps, and more
AppWizard
December 29, 2025

Android Central’s Best of 2025 Awards: The best phones, smartwatches, tablets, apps, and more

The OnePlus 15 was named Best Android Phone, featuring a fast chip, three-day battery life, and a 165Hz display. The Google Pixel 10 Pro won Best Camera with its Gemini-powered photo system. The Nothing's CMF Phone 2 Pro was recognized as the best budget option. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 was awarded Best Foldable Device, while the Motorola Razr Ultra 2025 was named Best Flip Phone. Samsung was recognized as the most improved brand. The Google Pixel Watch 4 won Best Smartwatch, and the Oura Ring 4 was the top smart ring. The Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2 was the best smart glasses, with the Oakley Meta Vanguard for athletes and the Xreal One Pro as Best XR Glasses. Marvel's Deadpool VR won Best Single-Player VR, and Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked was Best Multiplayer VR Game. The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 was the Best Chromebook, and the OnePlus Pad 3 was the best tablet. The Amazon Kindle Scribe was awarded Best E-Reader. Spotify was named Best Music Streaming Service, and Netflix was Best Video Streaming Service. The Gemini app won Best Android App, and Pokémon TCG Pocket was Best Android Game. Spigen was recognized as Best Phone Case Manufacturer, Anker was the top charging brand, Sony WH-1000XM6 won Best Wireless Headphones, and Apple AirPods Pro 3 were the best earbuds.
Google Unveils New Tools and Libraries for Building AI Glasses Apps
AppWizard
December 15, 2025

Google Unveils New Tools and Libraries for Building AI Glasses Apps

Google has released Android XR SDK Developer Preview 3, which enhances AI Glasses development with two new libraries: Jetpack Projected and Jetpack Compose Glimmer, and expands ARCore for Jetpack XR to include motion tracking and geospatial capabilities. Jetpack Projected allows apps to project XR experiences from host devices to AI Glasses, enabling interaction with the glasses' hardware. Jetpack Compose Glimmer provides UI components for creating augmented experiences, utilizing optical see-through technology. An AI Glasses emulator is also available in Android Studio for developers to preview UI designs. The expanded ARCore capabilities include retrieving planar data, anchoring content, motion tracking, and geospatial pose support. Developers can access these features through Android Studio Canary with the latest emulator version.
Google Launches First-party 'PC Connect' Virtual Desktop App for PC Productivity & Gaming on Android XR
AppWizard
December 11, 2025

Google Launches First-party ‘PC Connect’ Virtual Desktop App for PC Productivity & Gaming on Android XR

Google has launched a beta version of PC Connect, a virtual desktop application for Android XR users that allows streaming content from Windows PCs. The app is optimized for low latency and high frame rates, enabling responsive gameplay and crossover input control between the headset and traditional keyboard and mouse setups. A notable feature is the Gemini assistant, which recognizes streamed applications, and the auto-stereo feature that converts flat content into stereoscopic 3D in real-time. PC Connect is free, unlike its competitor Virtual Desktop, but currently does not support streaming PC VR content. There are questions about whether it uses a direct Wi-Fi link or requires an intermediary network for connectivity. At launch, there is no support for Mac users, but future updates may include it.
Connected, Creative, Expanded: Android XR’s Next Wave of Innovation Enhances the Galaxy XR Experience
AppWizard
December 9, 2025

Connected, Creative, Expanded: Android XR’s Next Wave of Innovation Enhances the Galaxy XR Experience

Samsung Electronics unveiled the Galaxy XR in October, which operates on the new Android XR platform co-created with Google and Qualcomm. The device features multimodal AI for seamless interactions through voice, vision, and gesture, and offers full immersion capabilities. The latest update to the Android XR platform includes three significant features: PC Connect, Likeness, and Travel Mode. PC Connect allows users to integrate applications or their entire computer desktop into the immersive view of the Galaxy XR, enhancing productivity and entertainment. Likeness enables users to customize their appearance during video calls on platforms like Google Meet, enhancing the sense of presence. Travel Mode allows users to create personal cinema or workspace experiences while on the go, with a stable view and a portable Travel Case. These features will roll out to users starting December 8 in the United States and Korea.
Samsung Galaxy XR Gets Realistic Face-Tracked 'Likeness' Avatars
AppWizard
December 9, 2025

Samsung Galaxy XR Gets Realistic Face-Tracked ‘Likeness’ Avatars

The rollout of the first significant update for Google's Android XR on the Samsung Galaxy XR includes several new features: 1. Likeness (Beta): A beta version of an avatar system for video calls that replaces traditional video feeds with virtual representations, using advanced eye and face tracking capabilities. Users can create their avatar by scanning their face with their phone. 2. Travel Mode: A feature that enhances positional tracking while in motion, reducing the misinterpretation of vehicle movements as head movements by relying more on computer vision. 3. PC Connect (Beta): A feature that allows users to connect to and control their Windows PC as a virtual screen within Android XR, requiring a streamer app on the PC. Additionally, Android XR is getting an AI feature that can convert any 2D content into 3D.
Android XR Getting AI System Feature To Turn Any 2D Window 3D
BetaBeacon
December 9, 2025

Android XR Getting AI System Feature To Turn Any 2D Window 3D

Google announced the upcoming release of Android XR Edition in 2026, offering immersive experiences for games, videos, and websites. Android XR is the only platform for headsets that allows for converting videos into 3D. The XR2+ Gen 2 chipset powering Android XR can handle real-time spatialization. The autospatialization feature can work with multiple apps simultaneously and was demonstrated during a presentation of Cities: Skylines. Android XR will launch for Samsung Galaxy XR next year.
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