Google is buying “a few of” HTC Vive’s engineering group to “speed up the event of the Android XR platform”.

The 2 firms aren’t saying what number of engineers the deal entails, nor whether or not it entails software program engineering or {hardware} engineering, however here is what Google is saying in regards to the deal for now:

“They’re an extremely robust technical group with a confirmed observe report within the VR area, and we’re wanting ahead to working with them to speed up the event of the Android XR platform throughout the headsets and glasses ecosystem.”

As an fascinating parallel: in late 2017 Google acquired a few of HTC’s cellular gadgets engineering group, and leveraged these engineers to vastly enhance the {hardware} of its Pixel telephones.

The brand new transfer comes simply over one month after Google introduced Android XR, its standalone XR working system and platform, as Samsung revealed the primary headset to run it.

Whereas Samsung’s headset would be the first system to run Google’s newest OS, Sony, Lynx, and Xreal are constructing Android XR gadgets too, and different firms together with Play For Dream say they need to use it sooner or later.

After all, Android XR shouldn’t be alone out there. Meta desires {hardware} makers to undertake its Horizon OS platform, which its Quest headsets run, as an alternative. ASUS and Lenovo are the primary firms confirmed to be constructing Horizon OS headsets, however we’ve got but to see a reveal from both.

Google’s power is that Android XR headsets will embody “most” of its Play Retailer of flatscreen pill and telephone apps, in addition to its cross-platform companies like Chrome, Google Maps, and Google Pictures, already utilized by an enormous share of smartphone and PC house owners on the planet.

With out sponsored {hardware} although, and seemingly with out tracked controllers within the field, Android XR may battle to draw lots of the builders of the immersive gaming library on Horizon OS. And past Owlchemy Labs, which makes comparatively informal video games, Google hasn’t acquired gaming studios to construct AAA VR exclusives like Meta’s Batman: Arkham Shadow and Asgard’s Wrath 2. Worse, Google’s most up-to-date try at working with sport builders, Stadia, spectacularly failed.

Nonetheless, Android XR might carve out an area out there as a comparatively open competitor to Apple’s visionOS, primarily centered on digital screens and integrations with current apps and companies, somewhat than a direct competitors to every thing Meta is doing with its Quest headsets. And HTC’s expertise within the area could assist Google speed up its plans and strengthen its competitors towards Meta.