Photo: Google
At the Android Show, Google introduced a series of updates for the Samsung Galaxy XR headset and outlined its broader vision for the Android XR ecosystem. According to the company, users will gain new tools for work and travel. The biggest announcement was the reveal of two AI-powered smart glasses scheduled for release in 2026. Both devices will run on the Android XR platform and are designed for everyday use.
The first model will function as a screenless assistant equipped with microphones, speakers and cameras for interacting with Google Gemini. Users will be able to take photos, ask questions about surrounding objects and receive real-time information.
The second model will offer similar capabilities but with an integrated display embedded in the lens, enabling turn-by-turn navigation, live translation subtitles or essential data directly in the user’s field of view.
Both pairs of glasses will work in tandem with a smartphone, which will handle data processing. Google notes that the devices are being developed on a new platform for smart wearables and mixed reality, Android XR.
Google is partnering with Samsung on hardware and with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster on design, aiming to deliver glasses comfortable enough for all-day wear.
The Galaxy XR headset will also receive several major updates. The beta version of PC Connect will allow users to link a Windows PC to the headset, move desktop windows into XR and work alongside Google Play apps.
A new travel mode stabilizes visuals while moving and “turns the cramped space of an airplane into a personal cinema or workspace.” Google is also launching the beta of Likeness — a feature that creates a realistic digital avatar mirroring a user’s facial expressions and gestures during XR video calls.
Additionally, Android XR will support wired XR glasses. Google showcased Project Aura by XREAL — a device with a 70-degree field of view and transparent optics that overlays digital elements onto the real world. It can display multiple floating windows and large virtual screens without blocking the environment, helping users cook, repair items or follow instructions directly in front of their eyes.
