The Android XR floodgates finally cracked open this month with the debut of Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset, but glasses are what we’re all excited for. Google has now announced that its partnership with Magic Leap has been extended for the sake of bringing Android XR glasses to market.
Google first announced a partnership with Magic Leap in 2024 for the purpose of building out AR optics and manufacturing, and that deal has now been extended. At a recent event, Magic Leap confirmed a three-year extension of the Google partnership, and also showed off a new prototype concept of a pair of Android XR glasses.
The presentation was hosted by Magic Leap’s CEO Ross Rosenberg and SVP Jade Meskill, as well as Google’s Juston Payne (Senior Director of Product Management for XR) and showed off “the first prototype concept of our new work.” It also went on to mention how the two companies are working together.
Magic Leap and Google have recently extended our partnership with a three-year agreement. We’re super excited to showcase to you the first prototype concept of our new work.
Magic Leap is enabling clearer displays and comfortable form factors. Google has been redefining how AI creates new experiences. Together, we’re changing the way we interact with the world.
As noted by Android Central, a press release shared by Magic Leap adds some further technical details. This includes mentioning that Google’s “Raxium microLED light engine” integrates with Magic Leap’s tech to bring “digital content seamlessly into the world.” As pictured above, the “display”portion of the lens is visible at some angles, but it’s largely impossible to see.
Magic Leap and Google will show an AI glasses prototype at FII that will serve as a prototype and reference design for the Android XR ecosystem. The demo shows how Magic Leap’s technology, integrated with Google’s Raxium microLED light engine, brings digital content seamlessly into the world. The prototypes worn on stage illustrate how comfortable, stylish smart eyewear is possible and the video showed the potential for users to stay present in the real world while tapping into the knowledge and functionality of multimodal AI.
During the presentation, text on the nearby screens suggests that Magic Leap is mainly working with Google on the technology here, rather than bringing its own glasses to market. Magic Leap further hints at this in its press release, calling itself “an AR ecosystem partner” focused on “supporting global technology leaders that want to enter the AR market and accelerate the production of AR glasses.”
These prototype glasses look pretty similar to the ones that Google has been showing off for the past few months, with the same basic design and the same camera placement. That prototype was reportedly set to be released by Samsung sometime next year, but it seems they’re stemming directly from Google’s Magic Leap partnership.
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