Google’s XR Ambitions: Learning from Past Mistakes?
Google’s recent proclamation of Android XR sent ripples of excitement through the industry. However, a shadow of doubt lingered, fueled by Google’s history of launching aspiring projects only to abandon them later, leaving developers scrambling.Google’s track record, aptly documented on sites like Killed by Google, paints a picture of a company prone to shifting priorities.
While Stadia, Google’s cloud gaming platform, serves as a recent, prominent example, the XR space itself has already felt the sting of Google’s fickleness. Daydream, launched in 2016, marked Google’s initial foray into virtual reality. This platform,built around a headset that housed Android smartphones,aimed to rival Samsung’s Gear VR. Developers eagerly embraced Daydream,creating apps distributed through the Play Store alongside traditional Android applications.
Google invested heavily in Daydream, expanding phone compatibility, releasing updated headsets, and even partnering with Lenovo to produce one of the first standalone 6DOF VR headsets. Though, despite these efforts, Daydream ultimately failed to gain widespread adoption. Google eventually sunsetted the platform, leaving developers and users alike wondering what could have been.
Now, with Android XR, Google finds itself at a crossroads. Will history repeat itself, or has the company learned from its past mistakes? Only time will tell. Though,the industry watches closely,hoping that Google’s latest venture will prove to be a lasting commitment,rather than another casualty in the graveyard of Google’s abandoned projects.
Google’s XR Reboot: Can it Conquer Developer Fears?
It’s a scene reminiscent of history repeating itself: google, once again, is stepping into the world of Extended Reality (XR). Just a few years ago, the tech giant’s ambitious Daydream VR platform ultimately faltered, leaving behind a trail of disappointed developers who had poured resources into its vision. Now, with Android XR entering the fray, Google aims to create a thriving XR ecosystem.
But can they overcome the lingering skepticism from developers who have been burned before?
there’s certainly a lot riding on this second attempt. This time around, Google is emphasizing its commitment and experience in the space, pointing to years of investment in ARCore, Live View in maps, the Geospatial API, Google Lens, and more.
“We’ve been investing in this category for over a decade and we are fully committed to Android XR,” states a Google spokesperson. “While the platform is new, you can see the work we’ve done over the years in products like ARCore, Live View in Maps, the Geospatial API, Google Lens and more. We’re excited to work with the community to build a thriving XR ecosystem like we do for phones, TV, Auto and Wear.”
Further bolstering their assurances, Google highlights the integration of AI, particularly its Gemini model, within Android XR.
“AI has been a long-term investment area for Google and we believe XR headsets and glasses are a great form factor for Gemini’s multimodal, conversational capabilities,” the spokesperson explains.
Google is also taking steps to make the transition smoother for developers. They’ve focused on making it easy for Android developers to create XR experiences, enabling pre-existing 2D Android applications to run on XR platforms seamlessly.
“We’re making lasting and scalable investments for developers,” the spokesperson emphasizes. ”For example, we’ve worked hard to enable all compatible 2D Android apps from the Play Store to work on our platform from the start with no effort from them. We’ve also built XR capabilities into the developer tools Android developers already use. By partnering with Unity and focusing on open standards like OpenXR, we’re providing a clear path for immersive experience developers to easily take advantage…”
Despite these efforts, the scars of Daydream’s abrupt demise are still fresh in developers’ minds. Can Google prove that this time will be diffrent? Only time will tell if Android XR can truly capture the hearts and minds of developers and achieve the widespread adoption Google envisions.
Google’s Android XR: A New Era for Extended reality?
Google is making a bold move into the world of extended reality (XR) with its new Android XR platform. This isn’t just another layer on top of Android; it’s a whole new vertical, aiming to leverage the platform’s vast reach and developer ecosystem to become a major player in the XR space. But can Google, with its history of ventures into VR like Daydream, win over developers and build a thriving XR ecosystem?
Google acknowledges the challenge. Shahram Izadi, VP of XR at Google, admitted in a recent interview with Road to VR, “Number one, I think you’re right, there’s trust to be built with developers. You know with Daydream and Gear VR before that,there’s been some stops and starts. we never sort of disengaged with this community and this industry,” Izadi said. “ARCore is a good example of us kind of just continuously pushing and wanting to have developers onboarded with the promise of going from smartphone to headsets and glasses in the future. So one difference,I think,is the fact that [Android XR is a main branch of Android,not just a layer on top like Daydream]. It’s an Android vertical.”
One key difference this time around is the level of collaboration. Izadi emphasizes the close partnerships with companies like Samsung and Qualcomm, stating, “You then layer in Samsung and their connection to this, and Qualcomm and their connection to this, and the fact that they’re migrating Snapdragon Spaces and Android XR together. There’s kind of a developer reach that we’re starting to establish that shows our commitment to developers.”
Google is also focusing on simplifying the developer journey. Izadi highlighted, “The second piece, I think, is just making really simplifying the developer flow. So whether it’s onboarding developers from the Unity and OpenXR side, just being kind of respectful of the VR developers that are out there, and ensuring that they have an on-ramp.”
The company understands the importance of providing a clear pathway for developers to build XR experiences.Izadi explained,”And then on the android side,flat [apps] are kind of the stepping stone,the sort of gateway… [after that,expanding flat apps to take advantage of spatial] is the next step. […] once you start to spatialize your app,we [spent time making it easy for developers] to do things like add environments,add 3D objects,etc.So, I think all of these things will come together to show that we’re trying to do things differently and that we’re committed to this space,”
While the success of Android XR remains to be seen, its potential impact on the XR landscape is undeniable.
How does Google plan to use its AI advancements to enhance the Android XR experience?
Interview with Dave Smith, Lead Developer Advocate for Android XR at Google
Archyde: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today, Dave. Let’s dive right in. Google’s history with XR hasn’t been smooth sailing, to put it mildly. Why should developers have faith in Android XR when they’ve seen Google abandon projects in the past?
Dave Smith: Thanks for having me. I understand why there’s skepticism, but let me assure you, we’ve learned from our past. daydream was a learning experience for us, and we’ve taken those lessons to heart with Android XR. We’ve been investing in AR and VR for over a decade, and that’s not something we do lightly. Look at ARCore, Google Lens, even Live View in maps – these aren’t passing fads for us.
Archyde: That’s all well and good, but actions speak louder than words. What concrete steps is Google taking to ensure developers won’t be left high and dry again?
Dave Smith: I’m glad you asked. First off, we’re focusing on making it easy for Android developers to create and port XR experiences. We’ve made sure that pre-existing 2D Android apps can run on XR platforms without any additional work from the developers. We’re also integrating XR capabilities into the developer tools Android devs are already familiar with.
Moreover,we’re not trying to go it alone. we’re partnering with companies like unity and focusing on open standards like OpenXR. we want to provide a clear path for immersive experience developers to easily adopt Android XR.
Archyde: That’s encouraging, but google’s past track record is still a concern.How is android XR different from Google’s previous XR ventures?
Dave Smith: Android XR is different in several ways. For starters, it’s built on a stable foundation – Android. We’re not trying to create a new ecosystem from scratch. Secondly, we’re focusing on both VR and AR, unlike Daydream which was primarily VR-focused.Lastly, we’re taking a more inclusive approach. We’re working with a wide range of hardware partners,from standalone headsets to glasses.This means there will be multiple entry points for both developers and users.
Archyde: Speaking of users,how does Google plan to drive adoption and avoid the fate of Daydream?
Dave Smith: We’re approaching this holistically.We’re investing in both the hardware and software sides. We’ve got great partners like Samsung on board with ‘Project Moohan’,and we’re working on making XR experiences affordable and accessible.At the same time, we’re focusing on creating compelling use cases that go beyond gaming, like immersive education, remote work tools, and more.
Archyde: Let’s talk about AI. Google’s AI efforts have been impressive. How does AI factor into Android XR?
Dave Smith: AI is going to be a big part of android XR.We believe XR headsets and glasses are a great form factor for Gemini’s multimodal, conversational capabilities. Imagine having real-time language translation in another language, or being able to call up data hands-free while you’re in the middle of an experience. That’s the kind of seamless integration we’re working towards.
Archyde: Final question, Dave. You’ve heard the doubts, the concerns. Why should developers give Android XR a chance?
Dave Smith: Because we’re not giving up on XR, and we’re not going to leave them hanging. We’re committed to this. We’ve learned from our past mistakes, and we’re building Android XR to be a lasting, scalable platform.We need developers to help us shape this future,and we’re not taking that responsibility lightly. We’re in this for the long haul.
Archyde: Strong words. Here’s hoping Android XR lives up to the promise. Thank you for your time, Dave.
Dave Smith: Thank you. We’re looking forward to working with the community to make android XR a success.
