Although Android XR is not fully open-sourced at present, Google intends for the operating system to support a variety of standalone headsets. While Samsung has been touted as the first to release an Android XR headset, other companies such as Sony, Lynx, and XREAL are also set to utilize this operating system.
Meta’s announcement last year revealed plans to open Quest’s Horizon OS to third-party developers, but the recent arrival of Android XR provides another opportunity for headset manufacturers.
Android XR, a collaboration between top tech companies, including Google, Sony, Lynx, and XREAL.
Sony’s SRH-S1 enterprise-focused MR headset appears to be a prime candidate for Android XR development. Following our hands-on experience with the headset last year, the company remained mum on the question of whether it was building its own platform and how users would be able to share their content from there? Developing Android XR offers a more practical solution for corporations seeking to create their own XR platforms rather than building one from scratch.
While Sony’s current and upcoming PSVR headsets are likely to remain closely tied to the PlayStation operating system, there is no indication that they will switch to Android XR.
The Lynx R-1, a Mixed Reality headset, has faced persistent challenges in its quest to reach the market. In building a crucial component of XR technology, one vital aspect is assembling a software program stack that seamlessly integrates to deliver all the requisite features for an XR headset.
Lynx founder Stan Larroque has confirmed that the company’s R-1 headset will not support Android XR, but future headsets may adopt the operating system. Acquiring the technology could strategically position the corporation for long-term success by reducing software development costs and granting its headsets access to a broader ecosystem of applications and content.
XREAL, the company building AR glasses featuring a large virtual display projecting content from various devices, remains unclear about its plans for utilizing Android XR. It’s likely that this concept will serve as a foundation for future product developments within the corporation.
While Meta and Google have expressed openness to allowing their XR operating systems to run on third-party headsets, they remain the primary gatekeepers controlling access. While neither Horizon OS nor Android XR is truly open in this sense, Handpicked companions can build on both operating systems.
As both methods are now operational, there is increased pressure for each to outdo the other in terms of openness. The potential exists for one or both companies to swiftly make their XR operating system open-source, accessible to anyone.
