A pair of AR glasses and a headset with 'Android XR' written in the center
I suffer a physical reaction whenever companies mention AI. I’m tired of the buzzwords and empty promises. And I can’t stand being told AI will transform my user experience when it doesn’t even come close. I’m told stories of agentic AI assistants and multimodal capabilities. Still, in reality, I struggle to get AI to accurately tell me when the New York Knicks play their next game. If I have to double-check or question the information I get, it’s useless. I still save significantly more time by just doing it myself, rather than relying on Galaxy AI or Google Gemini.
However, I’m willing to forgive all those past difficulties if Google and others can deliver on the promise of Android XR. When Google demonstrated its XR glasses at Google I/O 2025, I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. If Android XR pans out, it’ll have been worth all my past grievances with AI.
Changing the way we travel
Instantly connected to everyone
Google Maps navigation overlay in Android XR for glasses
Source: Google
I bought a gadget years ago that was designed to translate conversations in real-time. I would wear an earpiece, as would the person I’m speaking with, with a base station in between. It never functioned properly. There had to be absolute quiet, and it struggled with basic translations. I’ve even had trouble with Gemini Live getting me through conversations, resulting in me giving up and just typing in what I wanted to be translated. Android XR can change that, giving us a more natural language flow. Google’s XR glasses demonstration at Google I/O was fantastic, showcasing the possibilities of two people chatting with each other and enjoying real-time translation that works, and eliminating the need for awkward gadgets.
Instead of remembering that poster advertising an upcoming show, your Android XR glasses could remind you where you left your medication or alert you when your next dose is due.
The travel benefits aren’t restricted to the spoken word. Imagine street signs translated for you, with an AR overlay of your environment displaying everything around you in your native tongue. It can take the anxiety out of travel, allowing you to settle in and enjoy the location you’ve selected without struggling with the language. You no longer have to be intimidated by going to that local café, because the menu will be easily translated before your eyes. Google Maps integration into your Android XR-powered glasses will help you navigate a new country, allowing you to discover local treasures.
Android XR can increase productivity
More than just a VR experience
a preview of realtime tutorials on Android XR
Source: Google
I believe Samsung’s Project Moohan will suffer the same fate as the Apple Vision Pro. It’ll be an expensive gadget, but no one wants to sit connected to a battery pack or with a heavy pair of goggles on their head. Still, there will be productivity benefits with Android XR. Instead of recreating my office space, I’d love for my Android XR glasses to overlay information around me. I look forward to having additional, contextual information floating around my monitor or laptop as I work. If I’m writing an article about a smartphone, I imagine my Android XR glasses will recognize the subject matter and include relevant specs and info, bringing me research instantly.
I’m also ready for Android XR to finally fulfill the promise that AI will act like a personal assistant. If I can read an email asking about my schedule, with my XR glasses recognizing the text and cross-referencing my calendar on the spot, I’ll be convinced. There are numerous opportunities for Android XR devices to enhance my workflow, lending purpose to the endless parade of AI hype.
Various medical uses for home care
Making life easier for those in need
App_optimized_for_large_screen_on_Android_XR
I haven’t seen this discussed extensively, but I’m excited to see how Android XR devices help the elderly. We saw real-time memory in action on the Google I/O stage, with the presenter asking about a coffee shop, but what if there were other applications? Instead of remembering that poster advertising an upcoming show, your Android XR glasses could remind you where you left your medication or alert you when your next dose is due. If a loved one is suffering from memory loss, Android XR glasses can provide gentle reminders, hopefully jogging their memory and allowing them to stay independent for longer. They could also alert loved ones if the wearer were in trouble.
Benefits don’t have to stop with the patient, though. Healthcare professionals could also benefit from Android XR glasses, which provide real-time information on patients, including vitals and medications, overlaid on the display. Seconds matter in healthcare, and I look forward to the possibility of AI doing some good.
The compromises to privacy must result in something
I’m sure you can already imagine that privacy won’t mean much when your smart glasses are remembering things for you, actively watching, and assessing your environment. I understand it’s going to make people uneasy, but if we’re going to make that compromise, I want to get something in return at least. Android XR is the first hope I have that we’ve suffered through the first wave of AI for a reason. I knew the world wasn’t going to change with Galaxy AI. I only hope Android XR isn’t another letdown.