Samsung has begun with the roll outs of their first major software update for Galaxy XR, getting new tools to Google’s Android XR platform. This update focused on everyday usability is now live and running and users are definitely in line for the treat. It introduces realistic avatars for video calls, a Travel Mode designed for use while moving, and a built in way to access a Windows PC inside the headset.
The most noticeable addition is Likeness, a new avatar system currently available in beta. Suppose you are getting a video call and you don’t want to be seen as yet, you can use your digital avatar to do the deed. The avatar (an exact digital lookalike) responds in real time, following eye movement, expressions, and hand gestures. This allows users to stay visually present in calls while remaining inside a mixed reality environment.
Setting up Likeness does not require wearing the headset. Users scan their face using a supported Android phone, after which the data is transferred and stored on Galaxy XR. Once created, the avatar works across video calling apps without the need for special app support. For now, access to Likeness is limited to select Android devices, and the feature remains in testing.
The update also adds Travel Mode, which improves headset stability in moving vehicles such as trains and airplanes. Normally, vibrations and motion can confuse headset sensors, causing virtual screens to drift. Travel Mode adjusts the tracking system to rely more on the headset’s cameras. While this slightly reduces precision, it makes the experience far more stable during travel.
Another feature included in the update is PC Connect, also launching in beta. This allows users to view and control a Windows PC as a virtual screen inside Galaxy XR. After installing a companion app on the PC, users can mirror their desktop or a specific window. The feature is basic at launch but offers a native alternative to third party remote desktop apps.
The update reflects a more practical direction for Android XR. Features like avatars for calls, stable tracking while travelling, and basic PC access point toward everyday use rather than occasional demos. How well these tools fit into regular routines, and how much they expand over time, is something that will become clearer as Galaxy XR reaches more users.
