Google Responds to Developer Concerns About Long-term Commitment to Android XR

After Google’s announcement of Android XR last month, there was a mix of excitement and concern about the company’s long-term commitment to the platform. Google has a history of launching new products only to abandon them shortly after, leaving third-party developers in a difficult position.

Google is known for promoting new platforms that may not reach the success needed to sustain them, as evidenced by the 296 cancelled projects listed on the site Killed by Google. While Stadia, Google’s cloud game streaming service, is a recent example, the XR industry has also experienced this with Google Daydream.

Google introduced Daydream in 2016 as its first venture into the XR space, offering a VR experience with the Daydream View headset. Despite efforts to improve the platform and release new hardware, Google discontinued Daydream after three years due to lackluster adoption.

Now, five years later, Google has returned with Android XR, generating both excitement and skepticism among developers who remember the fate of Daydream.

Addressing concerns directly, Google emphasized its commitment to Android XR, citing past investments in ARCore, Live View in Maps, and other products. The company aims to create a thriving XR ecosystem and has made efforts to support developers by integrating XR capabilities into existing developer tools and partnerships with Unity and OpenXR.

Google’s VP of XR, Shahram Izadi, acknowledged the need to rebuild trust with developers, highlighting partnerships with Samsung and Qualcomm on Android XR. The company is focused on simplifying the developer process and providing support for creating immersive experiences on the platform.