- Android XR has been exhibited by Google in I/O 2025
- It depends largely on AI to deliver many of its characteristics, such as live translation.
- Headphones looks interesting, but glasses are the real star
Google has finally taken the Android XR cover on Google I/O 2025 to show us what the operating system will be when it is thrown into headphones and Android XR glasses at the end of this year.
We didn’t see everything I expected to do it, but we learned what Google’s silver bullet will be in XR: Google Gemini. His AI focused approach was demonstrated in both types of hardware: AR glasses and mixed reality headphones.
Starting with the latter, Google gave a public version of Project Moohan headphones demonstrations has been executing privately for media and technology experts. It highlights some standard headphones, such as the benefits of an immersive screen for multitasking: they showed us a user who accesses YouTube, Google Maps and a travel blog while investigating a location they plan to visit.
Then, at an impressive moment, that user asks Gemini if he can “take me to Florence.” Gemini forces when opening the immersive 3D map of Google and gives them a view of birds of the city and some reference points (including the iconic Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, which Assassin’s Creed 2 The players will be very familiar).
Then there are the glasses. In some different scenarios, Google highlighted how Android XR specifications can facilitate their lives with hands -free controls and a front screen.
You can write and send messages to your contacts, access live translation with on -screen subtitles, search Google Maps recommendations and then get instructions to a location and take photos using the glasses camera and see a preview of the taking immediately.
It is a reminiscence of what they are capable of the finish lines, and it is exactly what we hope that the smart glasses rumored with a screen can be able to be (reading: when) they are exhibited at the end of this year.
I waited for more Google in the headphones department, frankly.
Android XR certainly seems ordered, but I have not yet seen a reason why, or, to some extent, with the competition (*cough* Quest 3 * goalcough*). However, at least I have a little hope that by the time the Moohan project is ready for consumers (with it they will only make fun of the launch “at the end of this year”) some of the Android XR rentals will be addressed.
For now, the headset certainly seems to be playing the second violin for the true Android XR star: glasses.
Not only most of the characteristics of Android XR exhibited (which are very useful) are made for a device that would use all the time, I am surprised by the amount of option that Google is already offering us in terms of hardware.
Samsung is working on Android Xr Tech, but it is also Xreal with its Project Aura and elegant brands of Gentle Monster and Warby Parker glasses. And Google’s promise that “starting with” these brands suggests that more partners are on their way.
This abundance of choice is fantastic for two key reasons.
First, with more choice prices they will have to remain competitive. According to the reports, the intelligent glasses equipped with goal can cost more than $ 1,000 with privileged information that awaits a cost in the range of $ 1,300- $ 1,400 (which would be around £ 1,000- £ 1,100 or au $ 2,050-au $ 2,200).
With more options for glasses to choose from, we can see that prices fall to more affordable levels faster than if there were only one or two players in the game.
Second, glasses, such as other fashion accessories, need to prioritize style to some extent. The utility is important, but if we are expected to wear smart glasses all day every day, just like any other accessory they need to adapt to our identity.
By associating with a variety of different brands, the aesthetics of Gentle Monster and Warby Parker are almost polar opposites with each other, Android XR Tech should attract a broader audience than the approach of the Meta-Ban Ray-Ban, because it will have glasses designed to adapt to a broader range of fashion niches.
They are still the first days for Android XR, and there are crucial details that we are still missing, but Google has certainly come out with its last operating system
I will pay close attention to Android XR demonstrations of Google and look for more concrete information about the next hardware. For now, however, Google certainly has me in the hook.
