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Android has become what Google describes as the “most complete ecosystem of devices,” and in the future that will apparently include an XR platform that’s powered by Android and made in partnership with Samsung.
Today during Google I/O 2023 Google has shared some interesting highlights about what’s new with the Android ecosystem. And its new venture with Samsung is but one of a handful of details about the operating system and all the devices that run on it. Or some form of it.
For instance, you may not have known that Android TV OS is now the “#1 platform worldwide by shipments.” That’s in no small part due to the more than 800 free TV channels available for users to watch. Of course this isn’t exactly new information. Google shared details about the free TV channels back in April. The Android TV market share meanwhile was highlighted back in March. Nevertheless these are important factors in showcasing Android as a complete ecosystem. Which likely prompted Google to highlight them alongside other milestones.
Google shares other key highlights as well. For instance, Android Auto, the company says, will be in 200 million cars this year. And it plans to more than double the number of car models that have Google built-in by the end of 2023.
Android will extend beyond reality with Samsung and XR
So what does any of the information above have to do with Google’s partnership with Samsung for an Android-powered XR platform? Not much, really. Except for the fact that it shows Google’s commitment to bringing Android to even more screens in one way or another.
This new XR platform is simply the latest delivery vehicle for Google’s popular OS. Google doesn’t give much information on it through its official announcement. Just that Samsung is a part of the building process and the “immersive” XR platform will be powered by Android. XR, or extended reality, is essentially a blanket term for VR, AR, MR, and everything in between.
Could Google and Samsung’s new “screen” come in the form of a headset? Will be it be available through an entirely different device type? It’s tough to say at this point since Google hasn’t shared much detail on the endeavor. But neither Google nor Samsung are strangers to some form of XR. Both have released virtual reality headsets and Google of course has dabbled in AR more than once.