Android XR & AI Glasses: Developer Guide 2026

Understanding Android XR: Developer Tutorial Introduction

In this comprehensive Android XR developer tutorial, you'll learn how to build immersive apps for Google's next major spatial computing platform. Android XR represents Google's unified platform for extended reality devices, announced in December 2024 as the foundation for a new generation of smart glasses, wired XR glasses, and mixed reality headsets. Unlike smartphone AR through ARCore, Android XR is a purpose-built operating system designed from the ground up for augmented reality glasses Android development.

With 3 billion active Android devices globally and existing Android development skills transferring directly to XR, this platform offers the fastest path to extended reality development. Whether you're building for the $1,799 Samsung Galaxy XR headset or upcoming AI glasses from design partners like Warby Parker and Gentle Monster, this tutorial covers everything from SDK setup to production deployment.

Android XR vs Apple Vision Pro vs Meta Quest: Complete Comparison

Choosing the right XR platform is a strategic business decision. This comprehensive comparison helps developers and decision-makers evaluate Android XR against Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest 3 across cost, capabilities, and ecosystem factors.

Business Case & ROI Analysis for Android XR Development

Understanding the business value of Android XR development helps justify investment to stakeholders. This section provides concrete cost estimates and ROI calculations for enterprise XR deployments.

SDK Developer Preview 3 Tutorial

Released in December 2025, Developer Preview 3 brings increased stability for headset APIs and opens development for AI Glasses. This release includes the new XR Glasses emulator in Android Studio for testing glasses-specific experiences.

SDK Component Versions

Project Aura & Wired XR Glasses Development

Project Aura from XREAL represents the first wired XR glasses running Android XR, developed in partnership with Google. Unlike standalone headsets, wired glasses offload processing to a companion device (smartphone or external battery pack with touchpad), enabling lighter form factors for extended wear. This section covers the technical specifications and development considerations for wired XR glasses.

Uniquely, Project Aura also supports iOS devices, making it a cross-platform option for developers targeting both Android and Apple ecosystems. The external battery pack doubles as a touchpad controller, providing input without requiring hand tracking in all scenarios.

Gemini Live API Integration: Complete Developer Guide

The Gemini Live API is the AI backbone of Android XR, providing multimodal understanding that combines what you see, hear, and say into contextual intelligence. This deep integration enables context-aware computing experiences impossible on traditional devices. For developers, Gemini integration happens via the Firebase AI Logic SDK with support for streaming audio/visual input.

Gemini for AI glasses enables real-time conversational AI that sees what you see. Unlike standard chatbot APIs, Gemini Live maintains continuous context through conversation history, location awareness, and visual scene understanding. This allows building contextual assistants that proactively offer help based on the user's current situation.

// Request visual analysis from Gemini
val geminiService = GeminiXR.getInstance(context)

// Capture current field of view
val visualContext = captureFieldOfView()

// Send multimodal query
val response = geminiService.query(
    text = "What restaurant is this and what's on the menu?",
    image = visualContext.currentFrame,
    location = getCurrentLocation(),
    conversationHistory = sessionHistory
)

// Display response in AR overlay
spatialUI.showInfoCard(
    content = response.text,
    anchor = visualContext.pointOfInterest,
    duration = CardDuration.UNTIL_DISMISSED
)

Android XR Emulator Setup Tutorial

Getting started with Android XR app development requires Android Studio with XR extensions and the latest SDK tools. This tutorial walks through the complete Android XR emulator setup process to configure your development environment for both headset and AI glasses development.

The XR Glasses emulator introduced in Developer Preview 3 provides accurate content visualization matching real device specifications for Field of View (FoV), resolution, and DPI. This allows developers to test glasses apps without physical hardware, significantly reducing the barrier to entry for XR development.

// build.gradle.kts
dependencies {
    implementation("androidx.xr:xr-core:1.0.0-alpha03")
    implementation("androidx.xr:xr-compose:1.0.0-alpha03")
    implementation("androidx.xr:xr-runtime:1.0.0-alpha03")
    implementation("com.google.android.gms:play-services-gemini:1.0.0")
}

Building Your First XR App

Let's build a simple XR application that displays floating information cards in the user's environment. This example demonstrates the core concepts of spatial UI and environment awareness.

class MainActivity : XrActivity() {
    private lateinit var spatialSession: SpatialSession

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)

        // Initialize spatial session
        spatialSession = SpatialSession.Builder(this)
            .setFeatures(
                SpatialFeature.PLANE_DETECTION,
                SpatialFeature.SPATIAL_ANCHORS,
                SpatialFeature.HAND_TRACKING
            )
            .build()

        // Set up Compose XR content
        setContent {
            XrTheme {
                SpatialScaffold(
                    session = spatialSession
                ) {
                    FloatingInfoPanel()
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

@Composable
fun FloatingInfoPanel() {
    val planeState = rememberPlaneDetectionState()

    // Anchor card to detected surface
    SpatialPanel(
        anchor = planeState.primaryPlane,
        offset = Offset3D(0f, 1.5f, -1f), // 1.5m up, 1m in front
        size = PanelSize(0.4f, 0.3f) // 40cm x 30cm
    ) {
        Card(
            modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
            colors = CardDefaults.cardColors(
                containerColor = Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.9f)
            )
        ) {
            Column(
                modifier = Modifier.padding(16.dp),
                horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally
            ) {
                Text(
                    text = "Welcome to Android XR",
                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.headlineSmall
                )
                Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(8.dp))
                Text(
                    text = "This panel is floating in your space",
                    style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyMedium
                )
            }
        }
    }
}

Spatial UI Design Patterns for AI Glasses

Designing spatial UI for XR requires new thinking about interface placement, user attention, and context awareness. Unlike headset development where users expect immersive experiences, transparent display UI for AI glasses must enhance rather than replace the real world. Follow these patterns to create comfortable, intuitive experiences.

The key difference between designing for AI glasses vs headsets: glasses are all-day wearable devices where users are primarily engaged with the real world. Interfaces should be glanceable, contextual, and minimally intrusive. Use Jetpack Compose Glimmer components designed specifically for optical see-through displays.

// Comfort zone constants (relative to user's head)
object ComfortZone {
    val OPTIMAL_DISTANCE = 0.75f..1.5f  // 75cm-150cm
    val VERTICAL_ANGLE = -15f..15f      // degrees from horizon
    val HORIZONTAL_ANGLE = -30f..30f    // degrees from center

    val PERIPHERAL_OK = 30f..60f        // for glanceable alerts
    val AVOID_ZONE = 60f..90f           // causes neck strain
}

Performance Optimization

XR devices have strict performance requirements—maintaining 90fps while managing thermal constraints and battery life. Optimization isn't optional; it's essential for usable applications.

class OptimizedRenderer : XrRenderer {
    private val staticCache = SpatialCache()
    private var lastUpdateTime = 0L

    override fun onFrame(frameState: FrameState) {
        // Skip redundant updates (target 15fps for static UI)
        val timeSinceUpdate = frameState.time - lastUpdateTime
        if (!hasChanges && timeSinceUpdate < 66_000_000) {
            renderCached(staticCache)
            return
        }

        // Adaptive quality based on thermal state
        val quality = when (frameState.thermalState) {
            ThermalState.NOMINAL -> RenderQuality.HIGH
            ThermalState.FAIR -> RenderQuality.MEDIUM
            ThermalState.SERIOUS -> RenderQuality.LOW
            ThermalState.CRITICAL -> RenderQuality.MINIMAL
        }

        renderScene(quality)
        staticCache.update(currentScene)
        lastUpdateTime = frameState.time
    }
}

Privacy & Security Considerations for AI Glasses

Camera-equipped AI glasses raise significant privacy concerns that developers must address proactively. Unlike smartphones where recording is obvious, glasses can capture video and audio continuously without clear indication to bystanders. Building privacy-respecting applications is essential for user adoption and avoiding regulatory issues.

class PrivacyAwareCameraService : XrCameraService {
    override fun onCameraAccess(request: CameraRequest): CameraResponse {
        // Check location restrictions
        if (isRestrictedLocation(currentLocation)) {
            return CameraResponse.Denied(
                reason = "Camera disabled in this location"
            )
        }

        // Activate recording indicator (mandatory)
        activateRecordingLED()

        // Use on-device processing for privacy
        val processor = if (request.containsFaces) {
            GeminiNano.localProcessor() // Never sends to cloud
        } else {
            GeminiPro.cloudProcessor()
        }

        return CameraResponse.Granted(
            processor = processor,
            autoBlurFaces = true,
            maxRetentionHours = 24
        )
    }
}

Enterprise Use Cases for Android XR

Enterprise applications offer the clearest ROI for Android XR development. Field service, retail, healthcare, and manufacturing all have measurable productivity gains from hands-free information access and AI-assisted operations. This section covers high-value industry applications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

XR development introduces unique pitfalls that can ruin user experience. Learn from common mistakes to build better applications.

Real Agency Applications

Marketing agencies have unique opportunities to leverage Android XR for client experiences and internal productivity. Here are practical applications we're exploring.

Common Android XR Development Mistakes

Conclusion

Android XR represents a paradigm shift in how users interact with digital content. With Gemini AI integration, spatial computing capabilities, and the backing of the Android ecosystem, developers who start building now will be well-positioned as XR glasses and headsets reach consumers. The tools are available today through SDK Developer Preview 3 - the time to start building is now.

Frequently Asked Questions