Code found in a latest Google Play replace signifies the corporate could quickly roll out assist for XR headsets on its Android app retailer, which might mark a decisive shift within the aggressive panorama.
As reported by Android Authority, code in model 43.3.32-31 of the Google Play app comprises point out of “XR headset,” together with a brand new headset icon that ostensibly signifies whether or not an app works with the supported system.
Google has technically hosted XR video games on Play within the type of Cardboard apps since 2014, which use Android smartphones as advert hoc VR shows—one thing that was huge in kickstarting person curiosity within the early days of shopper VR, however not a lot within the day of standalone headsets like Meta Quest 3 and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.
The addition of a devoted part within the Play retailer and official system assist nevertheless factors to one thing larger than Cardboard, and even its now-defunct Google Daydream platform, which the corporate deserted in 2019.
So what’s spurred this renewed curiosity in XR? There are some things, arguably the most important of which is the Google, Samsung and Qualcomm headset collaboration, which was introduced in early 2023. Samsung is constructing the {hardware}, Qualcomm the chipset, and Google the Android-based XR working system.
Though the businesses have confirmed the headset shall be introduced (and probably launched) by the tip of this yr, virtually nothing is thought in regards to the XR collab. Trade rumors preserve Samsung initially delayed the system to raised compete with high-end combined actuality headsets, similar to Imaginative and prescient Professional.
Then there’s the latest report from The Info that claims Google and Samsung want to companion on a Ray-Ban Meta Good Glasses competitor, which might be materially ‘simpler’ to supply than a full-fledged XR headset, for the reason that comparatively cheaper AI-centric smartglasses don’t embrace shows.
Nonetheless, such a tool seemingly wouldn’t want such an in depth tie-in to the broader Android ecosystem like a possible Imaginative and prescient Professional competitor, which might seemingly commerce on its potential to not solely play XR video games revealed on Google Play, but additionally run normal 2D apps too, like Imaginative and prescient Professional does with its thousands and thousands of suitable iOS apps.
This follows revelations from earlier this yr that Meta and Google held talks in effort to deliver Android XR to Quest, nevertheless talks apparently stalled resulting from Google’s phrases being too restrictive for the liking of Meta. Within the meantime, Meta has been making overtures to Android builders to deliver their apps on to Quest in a bid to additional flesh out Quest as a basic computing platform.
