Ah, the good old days of Android. Back when each version had a dessert associated, the Easter eggs were actually fun, and navigating the interface was as easy as pressing one of three buttons. 3-button navigation is one of Android’s most iconic features, setting it apart from iOS. Even though Android has moved onto gesture navigation, it looks like Android XR will retain the 3-button navigation.
What is Android XR?
In case you don’t know, Google recently announced a new platform called Android XR. As its name suggests, this is a platform that will run on XR devices like headsets and glasses. Based on some videos of the platform, Android XR will pretty much look like Android but with floating UI elements.
Android XR aims to be to XR devices what Android is to smartphones and tablets. Different OEMs will load this operating system on their devices. This will give them access to the plethora of apps on the Google Play Store and consistent updates. The first device running this operating system will be Samsung’s first headset.
Android XR could have 3-button navigation
Right now, we’re still learning how this operating system will look and function. It looks pretty good based on what few visuals we have. While it’s subject to change as Google works on the interface, one thing sticks out.
It looks like Google will bring 3-button navigation over to Android XR. In the screenshot, we see the bar housing the buttons on the right of the main window.
How these buttons will work
What’s odd is that Google refers to this method of navigation as “gesture navigation”, even though you’re using the classic navigation buttons. The screenshots below show how you’ll interact with these buttons using hand gestures.
When you raise your hand to a certain spot, you’ll see a circle appear inside of a diamond. At that point, you’ll pinch your index finger and thumb together. This will bring up the triangle and square buttons that you’d see on an Android phone. Keeping your fingers together, you’ll slide your hand over which button you want to press. Then, you’ll let go to select it.
This sounds like something that you’ll have to get used to, but it’s still pretty simple. Since Android XR will be on different devices from different manufacturers, you should expect varying results, as different devices will have different qualities of hand tracking.
App windows
According to the report, Android XR will present floating app windows in two different ways. Firstly, apps will open up side-by-side. So, if you want to multitask, you’ll see up to three windows at a time. There’s also a mode that will have the main window take up the full screen.
It looks like Android XR is shaping up to be a compelling operating system. More information about it will come out, so stay tuned.
