Alright, so here’s what’s up. Google just dropped the second Developer Preview for their Android XR software kit. Honestly, it’s like Christmas for developers who are into all that immersive tech stuff—3D videos, augmented reality, virtual reality—you name it.
So, they talked about this at Google I/O. The updates? They sound pretty snazzy, offering developers the chance to whip up apps made just for XR, or even just bring your usual Android apps into the headset game. Yeah, that’s where we’re at now—headsets that aren’t just for gaming or pretending to be in the Matrix.
Oh, and this caught my eye: they’ve upped their video game (no pun intended) by supporting 180° and 360° video using the MV-HEVC codec. Don’t ask me why, but the codec stuff—they always sound like magic spells from Harry Potter to me.
Anyway—or wait. Actually, more on this. They’ve integrated something called Jetpack Compose for XR. It’s basically a concoction to make sure all your fancy XR displays line up right. The idea is to have a consistent user interface across mobile gadgets and headsets. Kind of makes your head spin, right?
There’s something about hand tracking too. You know, like Minority Report kinda stuff. It’s in ARCore for Jetpack XR, and it lets developers add hand gestures into their apps. Touching thin air has never been so high-tech.
Google’s even spruced up their Material Design for XR. I guess it makes those apps look prettier on bigger screens—or, er, maybe just more functional? I’m not sure.
And get this: Most Android XR developers don’t even have the hardware—those headsets—yet. But there’s this emulator thingy for them to play around with. Samsung’s coming out with their Project Moohan headset, supposedly. And XREAL’s doing, uh, something too with glasses. Curious to see what that’ll look like.
Speaking of high-tech eyewear, Google’s got their versions coming too. Glasses that work kinda like Ray-Ban’s Meta Glasses or whatever—something about seeing text and photos right there on the lens. If these things start doing your taxes, I think I might actually be impressed.
Oh, Unity’s in on it too, with their OpenXR version 2—dynamic refresh rates, SpaceWarp, shader stuff. My brain might be melting trying to process all that, honestly.
Alright, but enough nerd-lingo. If you’re dev-minded and curious, there’s more info on Google’s end to dive into. They’ve got samples and guides and all sorts of goodies to help you dive into this brave, new virtual world.
If you’ve read this far, maybe you’re as intrigued as I am—or you’re just lost in virtual mumbo jumbo. Either way, it’s where we’re headed. Cheers to the future!
