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Qualcomm and Google collaborate to launch new Android XR platform

Written by
Per Nielsen
Dec 12, 2024

Google, in collaboration with Qualcomm and Samsung has officially launched Android XR, a cutting-edge operating system designed for the new era of XR with AI at the core. This platform, along with its accompanying SDK, empowers XR creators to develop state-of-the-art experiences and deploy them across a variety of devices from glasses to headsets. The first Android XR device will be a headset from Samsung, powered by the Snapdragon® XR2+ Gen 2 Platform that is set to debut in 2025, with more devices to follow.

More than two decades ago, Qualcomm set out to create a comprehensive XR ecosystem which led to the development of the Snapdragon Spaces™ XR Platform. This solution provides OEMs, developers and users with high-quality features, services, and an operating system for immersive devices optimized down to the silicon level.

Snapdragon Spaces was built utilizing OpenXR standards which both helped to simplify development as well as enable developers to achieve scale by supporting a cross-device ecosystem. Through close collaboration with Google, the core technologies and insights developed for Snapdragon Spaces now make up the foundation of Android XR, helping to fulfill our vision of a unified platform to scale the XR ecosystem.

Android XR and the future of Snapdragon Spaces

Moving forward, our efforts will be focused on helping to build and scale the Android XR ecosystem.  New developers looking to create experiences for Android XR based devices can download the developer preview for the Android XR SDK from Google starting today.

Existing Snapdragon Spaces Unity developers can also seamlessly migrate their existing Snapdragon Spaces projects to Unity 6, which now includes robust support for Android XR. In the first quarter of 2025, we will release the Snapdragon Spaces Compatibility Plugin for Android XR.

This plugin will enable your application to operate smoothly on both Android XR and devices with Snapdragon Spaces, providing support for both ecosystems with a single application.

Samsung Project Moohan powered by Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2
Samsung Project Moohan powered by Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2

Scaling the XR Ecosystem

This collaboration marks the next step forward in scaling the XR ecosystem. Along with the release of the Android XR preview, Samsung announced Project Moohan – the first headset to support Android XR powered by the Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 platform. This mixed reality device features state-of-the-art displays, support for hand, eye and voice input and was designed to be comfortable with balanced weight distribution.

This is just the first of many devices that will support Android XR. During the launch, Ziad Asghar, SVP & GM of XR for Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. announced that we are working with Google to extend the platform, so more OEM partners including Lynx, Sony and XREAL can explore the development of Android XR devices.

We are thrilled to continue empowering our robust Snapdragon Spaces developer community, along with Google, Samsung and more OEM partners to extend the new Android XR platform and grow the entire XR ecosystem.

XRSnapdragon Spaces

Opinions expressed in the content posted here are the personal opinions of the original authors, and do not necessarily reflect those of Qualcomm Incorporated or its subsidiaries ("Qualcomm"). The content is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be an endorsement or representation by Qualcomm or any other party. This site may also provide links or references to non-Qualcomm sites and resources. Qualcomm makes no representations, warranties, or other commitments whatsoever about any non-Qualcomm sites or third-party resources that may be referenced, accessible from, or linked to this site.

Qualcomm-branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries

About the Author
Per Nielsen
Per NielsenSenior Director, Product Management
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Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Our leading-edge AI, high performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity deliver proven solutions that transform major industries. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.

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