Google has started rolling out a new update for Android XR, focused on improving immersion, usability, and natural interaction on XR headsets.
Since the launch of the Samsung Galaxy XR from Samsung Electronics, users have been exploring immersive apps and games with Gemini by their side, said Juston Payne, Senior Director of Product, Android XR. He added that the update brings new experiences to deepen immersion, improve interaction, and make content more intuitive to use.
New Features of Android XR
1. Transform 2D Content Into 3D Experiences
Android XR introduces an experimental auto-spatialization feature that converts standard 2D apps, games, websites, images, and videos into 3D experiences.
With a single action, users can add depth to content such as videos, games, and webpages, making them more immersive on XR displays. The feature can be enabled from the Labs tab under Advanced features in Settings.
2. Expanded Library of Immersive Apps
The platform now supports over 100 immersive apps designed specifically for XR environments, more than doubling since the launch of Galaxy XR. New additions include apps like Real VR Fishing and upcoming titles such as Trombone Champ: Unflattened.
Some apps also introduce enhanced viewing experiences, including the Paris St. Germain (PSG) Immersion app, which allows users to watch live matches as if they were at Parc des Princes stadium in Paris. Users can switch between full immersive mode and an overhead tabletop view.
3. Wall-Anchored Workspace and Entertainment Setup
Users can pin apps to physical walls within their environment, where they remain fixed throughout a session. This enables the creation of personalized layouts for productivity or entertainment, such as placing a calendar near a workspace or positioning a streaming app as a large virtual display.
4. Real Hand Visibility During Interaction
Android XR now displays users’ actual hands instead of outline representations when interacting with virtual content in home space mode. This improves spatial awareness and makes gestures such as reaching, pinching, and swiping feel more natural. The feature can also be enabled via the Labs tab in Settings.
5. Automatic Session Restoration
The update introduces session continuity, allowing users to resume their previous layout exactly where they left off. When the headset is used again, apps reopen in their prior positions without requiring manual setup, helping users continue tasks seamlessly.
Additional Improvements
The update also includes enhancements to hand tracking, eye tracking, and accessibility features, aimed at improving accuracy, responsiveness, and overall usability.
Enterprise and Collaboration Support
Android XR now supports Android Enterprise, enabling organizations to deploy XR-based solutions for training and collaboration at scale. The platform is being developed in collaboration with enterprise mobility management (EMM) partners including ArborXR, ManageXR, Microsoft Intune, Omnissa Workspace ONE, Samsung Knox Manage, SOTI, and others, supporting managed deployments in workplace environments.
Availability
The Android XR update is rolling out starting today for the Samsung Galaxy XR. Users can access the new features through system updates, with experimental options such as auto-spatialization and real hand visibility available via the Labs section in Settings.
Users can experience the update on supported devices as the rollout progresses, and explore the new capabilities directly on their XR headset or through Samsung Experience Stores.