The world of extended reality (XR) is about to get its proper spotlight on Android. Google has begun making significant changes to the Play Store, laying the groundwork for a major push into the virtual and mixed reality space, specifically in preparation for upcoming Android-compatible devices. This move essentially clears the stage for the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy XR headset. The latter is expected to be the flagship pioneer in this new ecosystem.
For the average user, the biggest sign of this shift appears right on the Play Store app listings. When browsing apps and games, you now see a carousel of compatibility “chips” below the install button—options that previously included phones, tablets, cars, and smartwatches. Now, a dedicated chip for XR headsets has officially joined the lineup. Tapping this new chip takes you to screenshots, reviews, and details specifically relevant to the immersive computing platform. The tweak makes the app discovery process far smoother.
Google readies Play Store for Galaxy XR headset with major software overhaul
But the usability improvements on the platform go deeper than a simple tag. As spotted by Android Authority, both the main Apps and Games tabs in the Play Store now feature a dedicated XR headsets section under the “Other devices” filter. This creates an easy-to-browse hub that showcases tailor-made software for virtual and mixed reality experiences. The change should boost XR content discovery, helping consumer adoption.
This Play Store update is highly strategic. By creating this dedicated space, Google ensures that devices like the Samsung Galaxy XR headset will not launch into a content desert. Instead, the headset will benefit from a searchable library of content right out of the box. The update serves a double purpose. It not only makes the initial experience better for early adopters of Android XR hardware but also helps promote and generate consumer curiosity about the entire XR category.
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