Google lets developers test Android XR apps without buying glasses

Google has announced new tools for Android XR and Android CLI that let developers test smart glasses apps without physical hardware, according to Digital Trends. The same report says the tools give AI coding agents more testing capabilities. Digital Trends' headline puts the point plainly: developers can test apps "without needing to buy expensive smart glasses."

What developers can do without glasses

Google's own Android XR developer page describes the emulator route. It says developers can use Android Studio to "test your app using virtual devices in the emulator for XR headsets and wired XR glasses or audio glasses and display glasses." That covers four device types, which the page groups into two camps: focused productivity and immersive entertainment on headsets and wired XR glasses, and lightweight, additive experiences on audio glasses and display glasses.

For display and wired glasses, the same page points to Jetpack Compose Glimmer, which it calls a design system and UI toolkit for optical see-through displays like display glasses and wired XR glasses.

Google's announcement post for the new tools was not reachable when this story was written, so the details of the new tools come from Digital Trends' summary. The developer page is an undated general hub: it shows what the emulator supports, not what changed this week. The Android Developers Blog also lists an Oct. 2 post titled "Device Streaming and Android skills - available in Android CLI," and it isn't clear whether that is the same tool.

Which Android XR devices are in play

For anyone wondering what the apps will run on, the hardware picture is thin. According to our device-by-device list, only one Android XR device is on sale: Samsung's Galaxy XR headset, which launched in October 2025 at $1,799.99.

Glasses are next, but none are shipping yet:

• XREAL Aura. Digital Trends reports the base model starts at $1,279, with shipments beginning before the holiday season. Our list calls it the first see-through glasses on the platform.
• Samsung's glasses. Digital Trends says Samsung's first AI glasses could launch in November with Gemini, built-in cameras and safeguards. Our list, citing a Samsung official, says the screenless Gentle Monster and Warby Parker frames launch in November. The two differ in certainty: Digital Trends says "could."
• Audio glasses. Digital Trends says Google has shown Android XR audio glasses designed by Gentle Monster and Warby Parker, powered by Gemini and coming later this year. The tag page gives no date for that item.
• Display glasses. Google has promised glasses with a display but has given no date.

That gap is the reason emulator testing matters. Developers who want to build for Android XR glasses can't buy a pair yet, so virtual devices let them start before the hardware arrives.

What the Dev Summit adds

Google's developer page says the Android Dev Summit "is back with a dedicated track for Android XR," and asks developers to tune in, try things out and send feedback. The page gives no date for the event and lists no glasses sessions, so the Dev Summit track isn't part of the Oct. 28 news.

What's still unknown

• Cost and requirements. It isn't clear whether the new tools are free or which Android Studio version they need.
• Coverage. Digital Trends says "without physical hardware," but it isn't clear whether the emulator covers every glasses model or only the four categories above.
• Hardware features. Nothing we read says whether the emulator can stand in for a pair of glasses' camera, microphone, display or Gemini features.
• The AI agent piece. Only Digital Trends describes what the AI coding agent testing does, and we haven't seen Google's own wording.
• Timing. The time of Google's announcement and the Dev Summit date are both unconfirmed.

If you're new to the platform, our explainer What is Android XR? covers the basics. It is Google's operating system for headsets and glasses, announced with Samsung and Qualcomm in December 2024. For the AI side, see how Gemini works on Android XR glasses and headsets.

This story is based on Digital Trends' report and Google's published developer page. We haven't used the tools ourselves. We'll update it when Google's announcement post is available.