Imagine soaring over the Great Pyramid of Giza on your lunch break. Or scaling the Burj Khalifa while you’re waiting for a delivery. How about venturing through the Vatican from your backyard?
Thanks to Android XR, all that just become a whole lot more possible without the hassle of actually getting there. No jet lag. No queuing in customs. No lost luggage.
Of course, devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR are up to the bread-and-butter tasks that AR and VR let you do already, like checking emails, browsing photos, streaming Netflix, and playing games. And they utilize the Google Play Store’s expansive suite of optimized spatial apps to help you maximize productivity, creativity, and interactivity. But with the latest version of Google Maps, you can really fly.
So much more than just Google Earth
Pick any spot in the world, whether that’s somewhere you’ve always dreamed of going, like the Golden Gate Bridge or Sagrada Familia, or even where you grew up, and Android XR instantly teleports you there, letting you view places and landmarks from a top-down view. So far, so Google Earth VR, right? Wrong. Turn on Immersive View, and your destination is rendered in stunning clarity and detail and enhanced with context-driven info. Get down to Street View for those stunning 360-degree panoramic views, and you’re there without actually being there.
And with Google Maps already seamlessly baked into the Android XR interface, you can highlight notable buildings, popular sightseeing spots, restaurants, and tourist hotspots, where you can immediately check out their name, their review rating, and other information via their floating labels. What’s more, certain locales will even let you explore their interiors in glorious 3D, so you can check whether that bar or eaterie has the right vibe.
Importantly, you can easily navigate the world with Android XR’s intuitive hand-tracking mode. Seen something in the distance that catches your eye? Pan to it by pinching and dragging with one hand, pulling the world towards you. Want to take a closer look? Zoom in or out of an area by pinching both hands and moving them closer or further apart. Fancy checking out a landmark from all angles? Pinch both hands and turn them as you would a steering wheel for that enviable 360-degree view.
It’s a perfect way for travellers who want to get their bearings and explore places virtually without getting lost or wasting valuable vacation time, leaving you more opportunity to soak in your destination without all the stressful hustle and bustle. It’s also great for those who can’t travel for whatever reason, empowering them with the tools to discover and explore without leaving home.
Gemini is along for the ride
Android XR has also been built from the ground up with Gemini AI, which offers a dynamic, multimodal way of connecting with your world, whether virtual or not. It’s all about enhancing your XR experience with intuitive interactions, such as voice, vision, or gesture. Sure, the latter can feel natural and tactile, but seamless voice control is the natural progression for this tech, perfect for when you’re tired of lifting your hands and making micro gestures.
With Gemini Live, understanding your surroundings and getting instant recommendations and contextual info just got a whole lot easier. Just focus on a building, landmark, or point of interest and say, “Tell me more about this.” Want to find out when a monument was built or when a museum closes for the day? Stomach rumbling and can’t find anywhere to eat? All you need to do is point and ask.
You can also zip between destinations solely with voice control, so you can go from marveling at the Liberty Bell in Philly to scouting diving spots off Ko Tao in mere moments, without lifting a single finger.
Gemini also responds via helpful, human conversations, so you don’t have to break immersion by opening another window or app to find out more.
In short, whether you want to traverse thousands of miles from the comfort of your couch or fancy a curious look at where you’re going to scout those unmissable joints, Android XR can get you anywhere you want. The only problem is deciding where to go next.
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