Google Unveils Latest Preview of Android XR Development Tools

Alright folks, buckle up because Google just dropped its second Developer Preview of the Android XR SDK. Honestly, I hadn’t even recovered from the first one, but here we are. They tossed in a bunch of fancy new stuff: immersive video extras, UI tweaks that get all bendy for your viewing pleasure, and—get this—hand-tracking with ARCore for Jetpack. Yeah, my hands felt seen!

They made all these announcements at Google I/O. There are truly so many updates—like, can we take a breather? But nope. This Android XR SDK is rolling in like a freight train, packed with standardized gizmos for devs itching to craft their XR masterpieces. Or just chuck their boring ol’ Android apps onto a headset. Either way.

A nugget that caught my eye: we now have support for 180° and 360° stereoscopic videos using the MV-HEVC format. Sounds technical, right? Basically, it’s primed for those high-def 3D scenes we all crave. Jetpack Compose for XR is also in the mix, doing some magic with adaptive UI layouts—helps things look less jarring across different XR displays. SubspaceModifier and SpatialExternalSurface? Sure, sounds like sci-fi jargon, but it’s doing wonders in unifying UI themes across gadgets.

And let’s gab about hand-tracking with ARCore for Jetpack XR. Google laid out 26 posed joints for jazzy, gesture-based wizardry. Seriously, I tried to count my own joints. Didn’t get far. Anyways, developers are getting new resources to plug this wizardry into their apps, so hooray for swiping the air with purpose!

Google expanded Material Design for XR, ensuring apps stretch out beautifully across larger screens. Have to admit, the design nerdery is strong in this one.

Yet, not all developers are chilling with Android XR headsets. Enter the Android XR Emulator. Sounds crucial, right? Especially for headsets like Samsung’s Project Moohan and AR glasses from XREAL. No sales pitch here, but they seem pivotal.

Apparently, Android XR Emulator is beefing up its game with AMD GPU support and snuggles better with Android Studio. About time! For Unity fans, Android XR Samples are fresh off the press, offering goodies like hand, plane, and face tracking, plus passthrough slivers to jazz up app creations. Fancy stuff, I’d say.

And yup, we can’t forget Unity. It’s beefed up its game engine chops; the buzzword here is Dynamic Refresh Rate. Shiny new toys for app-makers.

While Android XR didn’t steal the show at Google I/O (just being real), Google’s not sitting idle. They’re rolling out Android XR to more gadgets and slapping XR smart glasses ready for partner action. Warby Parker and Gentle Monster? They’re gonna play, too. Those glasses are supposed to do basic tasks plus give off major spy-gear vibes. Get hyped.

Curious for all the nerdy bits and bolts? Google’s got you covered with all the deets online. Go have a look, if you dare.