This morning, I woke up to a YouTube review that caught my eye—something that looked like the Apple Vision Pro 2, but it wasn’t. It was something potentially better. What I saw felt like the beginning of a new era for mixed reality, one that could break free from the walled gardens and sky-high prices that have defined the space so far. For years, Apple and Meta have dominated the conversation around mixed reality, locking their innovations behind exclusive ecosystems and hardware that’s out of reach for most. But now, it feels like the tide is turning.
What really excites me is the collaborative approach Google and Samsung are taking. Unlike the Apple Vision Pro, which has been praised mostly by die-hard Apple fans willing to overlook its $3,499 price tag and limited ecosystem, this new venture feels different. It’s not just about creating another high-end gadget; it’s about democratizing XR technology. By working together, Google and Samsung are opening the door to a more accessible and open future for mixed reality. This partnership isn’t just a win for consumers—it’s a huge opportunity for developers. If there was ever a moment to dive into XR design and app development, it’s now. And it’s not just about riding the hype wave; it’s about being part of a movement that could mirror the explosive growth and innovation we’ve seen in the Android smartphone market.
From what I’ve seen in early reviews, the Android XR experience shares some similarities with Apple’s Vision Pro. The core interaction patterns—like finger gestures, pinching and pulling, resizing windows, and movement controls—feel familiar. But that’s not a bad thing. It reminds me of how smartphone interfaces evolved over time. Whether you’re on Android or iOS, certain interactions like swiping to go back or pinch-to-zoom have become universal because they just work. The same thing is happening in XR. These platforms aren’t copying each other; they’re converging on what feels natural and intuitive for users. It’s an evolution, not imitation.
That said, the real potential of Android XR isn’t just about running existing Android apps in compatibility mode. It’s about reimagining what apps can do in a spatial computing environment. Developers have the chance to create truly immersive experiences that go beyond flat screens and taps. Imagine apps that leverage natural hand and gesture tracking for seamless 3D interactions, or spatial audio that makes you feel like you’re truly inside the experience. Think about apps that understand your environment and adapt to it, or multi-user experiences that blend the physical and digital worlds in ways we’ve never seen before. And with advanced eye tracking, we could see entirely new ways of interacting with technology. This is where the magic happens—not in porting old apps, but in designing new ones that take full advantage of what XR can do.
What’s really exciting is how accessible this technology is becoming for developers. If you’re already familiar with Android development, you’re halfway there. Google has built the Android XR platform on top of existing tools, adding new APIs and frameworks specifically for spatial computing. They’ve even released preliminary documentation, development tools, and sample projects to help developers get started. There’s an Android XR SDK, spatial computing design guidelines, virtual device emulators for testing, and plenty of code examples to learn from. The barriers to entry are surprisingly low, especially compared to the closed ecosystems we’ve seen elsewhere.
The timing couldn’t be better to jump in. With developer previews already available and hardware releases on the horizon, early adopters have a chance to shape the future of this platform. And because Android XR is open by nature, we’re likely to see a diverse ecosystem of apps and experiences that go far beyond what’s possible in more restricted environments. This is where Apple’s approach falls short—by keeping everything locked down, they’ve limited the potential for widespread innovation. Android XR, on the other hand, feels like a blank canvas waiting for developers to paint on.
Of course, it’s still early days. But the potential here is enormous. As more manufacturers join the ecosystem and hardware costs come down, we’re going to see rapid advancements in both hardware and software. This is the kind of open, collaborative environment that drives real innovation. And for developers, the time to get involved is now. Google’s developer portal is already stocked with resources, and online communities are forming around Android XR development. Whether you’re a seasoned Android developer or just starting out, the skills you build today will be invaluable as spatial computing becomes more mainstream.
So, if you’ve been waiting for the right moment to dive into XR, this is it. The tools are here, the community is growing, and the possibilities are endless. This isn’t just another tech trend—it’s the start of something big. And I, for one, can’t wait to see where it goes.
