It looks like Google is preparing to add a new category to the Play Store app store. Recent discoveries in the code indicate that “XR title” support will be added to the store. This development indicates that Google, which has expanded device support in the field of extended reality (XR), will increase its investments in this field. Although it remains unclear whether the company will enter the market with its own hardware products or partnerships, with this update, the Play Store is expected to offer a more comprehensive area for XR applications.
In the latest update of the Play Store, the presence of the phrase “XR headset” in the code, as well as an icon for XR devices, hints that the company may open a category for VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) content. This indicates that a special store area can be created for XR technologies and applications and content that support this technology will become more easily accessible. On the other hand, this move by Google means providing a more advanced content infrastructure in the Android ecosystem for XR devices.
Google’s involvement in the XR space has historically been limited to VR solutions like Cardboard and Daydream. These initiatives aimed to provide a basic infrastructure for mobile VR experiences, but these devices did not have the expected impact on the market and the projects were terminated. New developments suggest that Google is allocating more resources to XR technologies and aims to establish a serious presence in this field. The company’s partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm includes the development of an Android-based XR headset. This headset will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon processors and is expected to offer high-end XR experiences.
Google Play Store will create a stronger ecosystem with XR support
It is stated that by adding XR support to the Play Store, Google aims to create a stronger ecosystem for both users and developers. In this way, application and content developers will be able to deliver their XR-supported content to a wide user base via the Play Store. Additionally, this move will strengthen Google’s XR device ecosystem, allowing it to provide more applications, games and entertainment content. This infrastructure can increase the use of XR technology, especially in the field of gaming and education.
Although Google’s detailed plans for XR technology have not been announced yet, the changes made in the code show that a more comprehensive step will be taken in this field. Industry observers state that this development could occur in the form of Google introducing its own XR headset or collaborating with other XR device manufacturers. Additionally, Play Store’s new XR category can also cover existing XR devices, enriching the user experience in this area.