Google Unveils Major Galaxy XR Updates: PC Connect, Travel Mode & Likeness Avatar - Plus New XR Devices Coming Soon

Google is rapidly pushing the boundaries of spatial computing, and its latest announcement at The Android Show: XR Edition (Dec 2025) confirms one thing: Android XR is becoming a full ecosystem, not just a headset platform.

Following the successful launch of the Samsung Galaxy XR headset, Google has now revealed new features, fresh device categories, and tools for developers building the next generation of XR and AI-powered experiences.

In this deep dive, we explore everything announced, including how these updates reshape productivity, travel, communication, and the future of XR devices.

Android XR: Google 's Expanding Vision

When Google introduced its XR roadmap last year, it promised an ecosystem built on openness, developer freedom, and multi-device support. After the Galaxy XR launch, this vision is becoming reality.

Unlike closed systems such as Apple Vision Pro, Android XR aims to support a wide spectrum of devices, including:

• Full headsets
• AI glasses
• Mixed-reality wearables
• Wired XR glasses
• Spatial productivity accessories

This flexibility positions Android XR as the most diverse XR platform in the industry and one that 's accelerating fast.

PC Connect: Bring Your Windows Desktop Into XR

Among the biggest announcements is PC Connect, a new feature that links your Windows PC directly to your Galaxy XR headset.

What PC Connect Does

• Streams your entire Windows desktop into XR
• Lets you pull individual windows into your XR workspace
• Works side-by-side with native Android apps
• Ideal for multitasking, productivity, and remote work
• Supports gaming with PC streaming

This means you can create a triple-monitor-style setup in XR, without buying monitors or even using a physical desk.

Why It Matters

PC Connect transforms Galaxy XR from a “fun device” to a “work device.”
It effectively turns the headset into:

• A portable office
• A multi-window productivity hub
• A private gaming theater

The feature is rolling out in beta starting today.

For deeper insights into securing modern workspaces, explore my article on Web Security Insights

Travel Mode: Spatial Computing On the Move

If you 've ever tried using a VR headset on a plane, you know it rarely works. Motion causes drift, disorientation, and unstable visuals.

Google 's Travel Mode fixes that.

Key Features

• Stabilizes the XR view, even in motion
• Ideal for airplanes, trains, cars
• Lets you use multi-window XR workspaces while traveling
• Turns cramped spaces into private cinemas

Imagine watching a 150” movie screen without disturbing anyone or drafting a project mid-flight with your Windows desktop floating above your tray table.

This feature makes XR genuinely mobile for the first time.

Likeness: Your Realistic 3D Avatar for Video Calls

One of the most futuristic updates is Likeness, a hyper-realistic digital face that mirrors your:

• Facial expressions
• Mouth movements
• Head gestures
• Hand gestures

Unlike cartoon avatars, Likeness makes video calls feel natural and personal in XR environments.

Why Likeness Matters

• Builds trust in remote meetings
• Allows natural human connection
• Replaces the “floating camera window” problem
• Works seamlessly in XR video conferencing apps

Likeness rolls out in beta starting today, with broader availability soon.

AI Glasses: Lightweight Wearable AI Assistants

Google also revealed progress with two categories of AI glasses, developed with Samsung, Gentle Monster, and Warby Parker.

Screen-Free AI Glasses

• Hands-free conversations with Gemini
• Built-in mic + speakers
• Real-world contextual assistance
• Lightweight, all-day wearable

These glasses let you use AI without screens, perfect for navigation, capturing memories, or hands-free productivity.

Display AI Glasses

• In-lens micro-display
• Shows turn-by-turn navigation
• Shows translation captions
• Shows contextual AI overlays

They bring the convenience of a smartphone into your line of sight, discreetly and privately.

Expected launch: Next year.

Wired XR Glasses: First Look at XREAL Project Aura

Google also unveiled the first Android XR device in the “wired glasses” category: Project Aura by XREAL.

Project Aura Highlights

• 70° field of view
• Optical see-through display
• Lightweight and portable
• Multi-window workspace anywhere
• Perfect for cooking, repairs, travel, and productivity

Project Aura merges the immersion of a headset with the comfort of glasses, a potential breakthrough for everyday XR use.

Developer Preview 3 of the Android XR SDK

Google officially opened development for AI glasses and enhanced tools for headsets.

New Developer Capabilities

• APIs for AI glasses
• Improved XR environment mapping
• More immersive visual and interaction models
• Better support for multi-window spatial apps

Example partners already building XR experiences:

• Uber (ride overlays + navigation)
• GetYourGuide (travel overlays + AR guides)

Developers can start today on the Android Developer Blog.

What This Means for the Future of XR

With these updates, Google is carving out the most flexible and developer-friendly XR ecosystem in the world. The combination of:

• AI
• Spatial computing
• Wearable displays
• Multi-device support

…positions Android XR as a major competitor to Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest.

This momentum also increases the urgency of securing XR applications especially after vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-55182 surfaced.

For a full breakdown of the React Server Components security flaw.

If you 're building with Next.js or any React Server Components application, I can help you secure your deployments.