XR Archives

BetaBeacon

March 5, 2026

Here’s how Google describes its fee-reducing Apps Experience and Games Level Up programs

Google is aiming to expand the presence of apps on a wide range of devices, including tablets, headsets, TVs, and PCs. Starting in July, developers will see a reduction in fees for in-app purchases and subscriptions. Google has introduced new categories of apps and two new programs, Apps Experience and Games Level Up, to help developers optimize their apps for multiple devices beyond phones. Developers are not required to distribute apps on all form factors, providing flexibility in their app deployment strategies.

AppWizard

February 14, 2026

Google launches early Android 17 Beta for Pixel devices targeting app scalability

Google has launched the first Beta of Android 17 for Pixel devices, skipping the traditional Developer Preview. The Android Beta program is available for Pixel devices starting from the Pixel 6 to the Pixel Tablet, allowing users to enroll via the Android Beta website for an Over-The-Air update. Android 17 focuses on app scalability across various devices and includes performance improvements with a new garbage collection method and camera functionality upgrades. The full release timeline is flexible, expected several months after a Platform Stability milestone in March, likely after the Google I/O event in May and possibly coinciding with the Pixel 11 launch in August. Users can enroll in the Beta through the Android Beta website, but may experience instability, and those without a Pixel can use the Emulator in Android Studio.

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.

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.

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."

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.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Soon control Android with touchless hand gestures using neural gesture tech

Wearable Devices Ltd. (Nasdaq: WLDS) will launch its Mudra Link Android app in January 2026, which will enable neural gesture control without the need for a PC during onboarding. The app will feature out-of-the-box pairing, gesture customization, command mapping, and support for extended reality (XR) applications. As of the latest trading session, WLDS shares are priced at .37, with an 8.73% increase prior to the announcement, and a trading volume of 530,982 shares, below the 20-day average of 817,090. The stock is below its 52-week high of .40. The company has partnered with Rokid to bundle Mudra control with AI and AR glasses, targeting a launch in Q2 2026. Investors should monitor adoption rates of the app, especially during its demonstration at CES 2026. The potential exercise of new warrants could yield up to .7 million, posing dilution risks for existing shareholders.

AppWizard

January 6, 2026

Wearable Devices Brings the Touchless Magic to Android with Neural Gesture Control

Wearable Devices Ltd. has announced the upcoming release of its Mudra Link Android app, which will provide Android users with access to the full suite of Mudra features, including gesture customization and command mapping. The app will allow for out-of-the-box onboarding with seamless pairing and guided setup, eliminating the need for a macOS or Windows PC for initial setup. The Mudra Link Android app is set to launch in January 2026 and will be showcased at CES 2026.

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.

BetaBeacon

December 25, 2025

Android Central’s Best of 2025: XR/VR headsets, smart glasses, and games

The Xreal One Pro XR glasses feature a new optics stack that makes them slimmer and widens the field of view. They also include a dedicated X1 chip for spatial tracking, a first for XR glasses.