Android SVP Hiroshi Lockheimer made an appearance at the end of the Galaxy S23 event today to talk about Google’s partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm on extended reality (XR).
As of late, Samsung and Google have been working together (including through joint marketing) on highlighting the latter’s services on the former’s hardware. Lockheimer highlighted Google Meet (with Live Sharing for Samsung Notes announced today) and RCS in Messages. There was then talk of “[doubling] down on optimizing for large screens to enhance what you can do on Samsung’s foldables and tablets,” as well as the partnership on Wear OS 3.
The Google executive said AR and VR are “integral to the new phase of computing as it can change the way we interact with people and information to get things done in the real world.”
He said this requires “cutting edge, advanced hardware and software” in a nod to the Qualcomm and Samsung partnership.
Cited examples include ARCore’s availability on over 1 billion Android devices, AR in Search (models), YouTube, and Google Maps (Live View AR navigation), and Google Lens, repeating the 8 billion visual searches per month stat from last year.
Lockheimer said “these examples are just a prelude to our long-term vision.”
9to5Google’s Take
These comments are undoubtedly the most significant and detailed since the end of Google I/O 2022 when CEO Sundar Pichai previewed translation glasses:
The appearance of the Android chief to announce this partnership is telling. Android being the OS for this upcoming form factor is not surprising. Google has the most experience with the OEM partner model through Android. That said, it’s surprising that Google’s first foray into XR hardware was not its own.
It might suggest that we’re in for another Android smartphone market where Samsung Galaxy devices have the largest market share, while the Pixel is Google’s offering. Of course, it’s still very early days, and Google’s biggest advantage is its AR services. It ultimately wants Google Lens and Maps to be on as many devices, regardless of brand, as possible.
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