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We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

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Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#11

Post by jillesvangurp »

The announcement is a bit lacking in detail. What are they actually announcing here beyond doing something related to XR?

I talked to some IOS developers recently doing an app with some AR features. They were doing things with lidar and indoor maps on the iphone. I asked them if they were working on an Android version as well (I have a pixel 6 phone) and they told me that they tried but that the Android APIs are a bit limited for the types of things they were trying to do. Also, there don't seem to be a lot of Android phones with lidar.

It seems Google does have some catching up to do here.

Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#12

Post by LeoPanthera »

DiabloD3 wrote: post #2

Why, though? Nobody wants yet another state-sponsored corporate data gathering malware "product", especially if its promoting a product that's virtually already discontinued.

If the overnight success of RedNote proves anything, it's that actually quite a lot of people want that.

Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#15

Post by jdietrich »

jillesvangurp wrote: post #11

The announcement is a bit lacking in detail. What are they actually announcing here beyond doing something related to XR? I talked to some IOS developers recently doing an app with some AR features. They were doing things with lidar and indoor maps on the iphone. I asked them if they were working on an Android version as well (I have a pixel 6 phone) and they told me that they tried but that the Android APIs are a bi…

Google are launching a version of Android specifically tailored for XR applications. A preview version of the SDK is available now. The first hardware is expected to launch later this year, with devices announced by Samsung and Sony.

Google have paid HTC $250m in exchange for technology licensing and an unspecified number of staff. It's a deal that's vaguely reminiscent of the 2017 deal, which saw Google acquihire around 2,000 HTC staff who had been involved in hardware development on Pixel. Google have been working on their own XR hardware under Project Astra, but it's unclear if there's a firm plan to bring that to market.

https://developer.android.com/xr

https://www.vive.com/us/newsroom/2025-01-23/

Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#16

Post by cladopa »

DiabloD3 wrote: post #2

Why, though? Nobody wants yet another state-sponsored corporate data gathering malware "product", especially if its promoting a product that's virtually already discontinued.

States are somebody.

They show a demo on the street. Every person on the street at any street in the world analysed on real time. Imagine the surveillance possibilities.

Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#17

Post by Macha »

LeoPanthera wrote: post #12
DiabloD3 wrote: post #2

Why, though? Nobody wants yet another state-sponsored corporate data gathering malware "product", especially if its promoting a product that's virtually already discontinued.

If the overnight success of RedNote proves anything, it's that actually quite a lot of people want that.

I think that's a mix of defiance and marketing - "you ban the thing I like, I'm going to the other thing you don't want me to use"

Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#18

Post by Macha »

niklasrde wrote: post #8
DiabloD3 wrote: post #2

Why, though? Nobody wants yet another state-sponsored corporate data gathering malware "product", especially if its promoting a product that's virtually already discontinued.

What, in your mind, is the "product" here? The one that's been discontinued?

HTC Vive as a SteamVR/PC hardware device. Possibly the name will live on as something else, but it's probably not going to be the same category as the current product

Re: We're accelerating the Android XR platform with a new agreement with HTC

#20

Post by edd25 »

tux3 wrote: post #14
aboardRat4 wrote: post #13

Has anyone found any real use for VR? HL Alyx notwithstanding

HL Alyx notwithstanding, BeatSaber is a good workout.

Second this, VR is perfect for workouts.

I'd also recommend checking out Sprint Vector if you have a decent PC for PCVR (via Steam Link) - I was fully drenched in sweat after a 30 min gameplay session. Gorilla Tag is also nice for workouts while being fun, no PC needed.

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