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Galaxy XR

Android 17 improves the camera experience and apps for foldables and tablets
AppWizard
February 12, 2026

Android 17 improves the camera experience and apps for foldables and tablets

Google announced plans for the beta release of Android 17, which has been delayed without official clarification. Key features of Android 17 include a new policy for app orientation and size, requiring developers to support resizing and windowed multitasking. The update will also introduce professional-grade camera APIs, support for Versatile Video Coding (VVC), integration of VoIP calls into the built-in dialer, enhanced Wi-Fi ranging capabilities, and new profiles for Fitness Trackers and Medical Devices. Improvements for Android XR devices will enhance app responsiveness and display state changes. Additional beta versions will be released in the coming months, with developer stability expected by March 2026 and a stable release anticipated around June 2026, initially for Pixel devices. One UI 9, based on Android 17, is expected to debut with the Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy Z Fold 8 in June 2026.
Galaxy XR Gets a Dedicated SmartThings App, But With Caveats
AppWizard
January 30, 2026

Galaxy XR Gets a Dedicated SmartThings App, But With Caveats

Galaxy XR is the first device powered by Google’s Android XR platform, launched at a premium price of ,800. Samsung has released a dedicated SmartThings app for Galaxy XR, which features a user-friendly interface and allows users to manage smart home environments while using the device. However, the app currently lacks several features found in the mobile app and on Samsung TVs, including the Map View. There is speculation that Samsung may develop a more advanced SmartThings Map View for XR in the future.
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.
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.
I saw the future of Android XR smart glasses, and Google left me stunned at the progress
AppWizard
December 8, 2025

I saw the future of Android XR smart glasses, and Google left me stunned at the progress

Last week, a demonstration of Android XR glasses took place at Google's Hudson River office, showcasing features such as visual assistance and gyroscopic navigation. These glasses are part of a developer kit for Android developers. Google aims to integrate these devices with Android phones and smartwatches by 2026. The strategy for AI glasses includes two types: one focusing on audio and camera features, and another incorporating a display for visual cues. Developer Preview 3 of the Android XR SDK is set to launch soon, supporting a wide range of existing third-party Android apps. The glasses can display navigation routes and driver information for Uber rides. Gemini, the assistant, provides contextual information immediately upon wearing the glasses. The Samsung Galaxy XR headset has new features like PC Connect and travel mode, while Xreal's Project Aura glasses offer a 70-degree field of view and access to Android apps. The anticipated price for Project Aura could be around ,000, with a potential late next year launch.
Google is making playing PC games on Android XR as easy as opening an app
AppWizard
December 8, 2025

Google is making playing PC games on Android XR as easy as opening an app

Google has introduced PC Connect, a feature that allows users to stream their computer's display to the Android XR headset, facilitating seamless connectivity between multiple computers. This feature enhances user experience by simplifying access to media and applications directly through the headset. Users can launch the PC Connect app from the XR headset, enabling easy access to PC-hosted games and applications. Additionally, users can utilize Google's AI assistant, Gemini, while interacting with PC content, as it can observe the PC display and respond to queries. Beta access to PC Connect has begun for Galaxy XR headset owners.
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