The latest update to the Android Emulator in Android Studio allows multiple instances to coexist on the same virtual Wi-Fi network and interconnect using standard Wi-Fi-based protocols.
The latest update for Android XR is being rolled out to Samsung Galaxy XR headsets, featuring advancements in hand tracking, eye tracking, and accessibility improvements. Android Enterprise is now fully supported on XR, enabling organizations to implement immersive training and collaboration solutions. Partnerships with Enterprise Mobility Management providers such as ArborXR, ManageXR, Microsoft Intune, Omnissa Workspace ONE, Samsung Knox Manage, and SOTI are established to enhance workplace readiness. Users can experience the new features at local Samsung Experience Stores.
Google is updating Android XR for Galaxy XR users, introducing features such as the ability to pin apps to virtual walls, which allows for practical applications like keeping a calendar app next to an office desk. The headset will also automatically restore the previous session with all apps and layouts. Users can see their hands through passthrough cameras while interacting with virtual content, enhancing the sense of presence. An auto-spatialization feature transforms apps, games, websites, images, and videos into 3D experiences. There are now over 100 apps designed for XR, including Real VR Fishing, Trombone Champ: Unflattened!, and the PSG Immersion app for live game experiences. The update also includes enhancements in hand tracking, eye tracking, and accessibility.
Chrome Unboxed offers a membership option called Chrome Unboxed Plus, providing an ad-free experience and access to a private Discord community. Google has rolled out new features for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, enhancing user immersion and navigation. Users can now pin applications to their physical walls, and sessions automatically restore when the headset is put back on. An experimental feature called auto-spatialization allows 2D apps to be transformed into a 3D experience. The library of immersive apps for Android XR has more than doubled, exceeding 100 apps. A new Labs feature enables users to see their physical hands while interacting with virtual content. Additionally, Android Enterprise support is now available for XR, aiding organizations in deploying headsets for training and collaboration.
Samsung has introduced an experimental feature called "auto-spatialization" for its Galaxy XR headsets, which transforms standard 2D applications, websites, images, and videos into immersive 3D experiences. The feature supports content with a resolution of up to 1080p at 30 frames per second, may consume more battery power, and is limited to the app window currently in focus. Additionally, Google has announced enhancements for the Galaxy XR platform, including the ability to pin apps to virtual walls, visibility of real hands in home space mode, seamless transition back to previously used apps, and over 100 apps optimized for XR available in the Google Play Store.
Google is introducing Vibe Coding XR, an experimental workflow that allows users to create virtual reality (VR) applications from simple text prompts in under a minute. This approach, part of a trend called "vibe coding," uses artificial intelligence to interpret user intent rather than relying on traditional coding. It leverages Gemini AI models and the open-source framework XR Blocks, which consist of pre-constructed modules for various functionalities. Users can generate diverse scenarios, such as a physics lab or a Schrödinger’s Cat simulation, by describing their desired scene. Vibe Coding XR is designed for Android XR, particularly optimized for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, but also offers a simulated reality environment for desktop Chrome. Internal evaluations show that the Gemini Flash model can create prototypes in about 20 seconds, while the Gemini Pro model is preferred for complex tasks. Vibe Coding XR is intended as a rapid prototyping tool for educators and developers, not as a replacement for professional developers. Google plans to showcase this technology at the ACM CHI 2026 conference from April 13 to April 17.
GameHub app allows Samsung Galaxy XR users to play Steam games natively without the need for cloud streaming or subscriptions. The app is user-friendly and does not require excessive permissions. Users can easily connect their Steam account to the app and access their entire library on the Galaxy XR. Compatibility and performance checks are available, and additional options for performance adjustments can be configured. The app also supports VR games with the use of Bluetooth controllers and the Virtual Desktop app.
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.
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.
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.
