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What next then?
Following Meta’s significant shift away from the metaverse and the discontinuation of its Reality Labs division’s VR/AR hardware efforts, the future of spatial computing is at a crossroads. While companies like Meta and Xreal are exploring in-lens displays, the current technology isn’t yet capable of delivering an experience comparable to standalone VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3.
This suggests that, for immersive experiences, the momentum is currently outside of the smart glasses space. However, Android XR, powered by Google, may offer a path forward.
Google’s licensing of Android XR to multiple hardware manufacturers could lead to a broader adoption, particularly within the professional and enterprise sectors. This is especially true with PC vendors exploring integration with Chrome OS and its successor, perhaps branded as “Aluminium” (though official branding remains unconfirmed).
In late 2023, techradar’s editor-at-large Lance Ulanoff previewed a prototype Android XR smart glass.
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