Play for Dream Plans to Implement Android XR as Standalone OS and Shift Focus to US Market

China’s Play for Dream, a company that’s taking strides in the mixed reality (MR) market, is gearing up to embrace Google’s Android XR as the operating system for their upcoming standalone MR headset. This move marks an exciting development for tech enthusiasts and industry observers alike.

Often dubbed as a “Vision Pro knock-off” due to its striking resemblance to Apple’s headset, those who’ve had the chance to test Play for Dream’s MR device believe it offers much more than just a familiar design. A former engineer from Quest even praised its impressive execution.

Currently, the headset operates on a customized version of Android. However, Play for Dream has shared with Road to VR its intention to transition to Google’s Android XR, although they’re still ironing out the details and timeline for this shift.

It’s yet unclear whether the current MR headset will receive an update to Android XR post-launch or if this upgrade will be reserved for future models. With the headset set to hit shelves at the end of the month and priced at $1,900, it seems unlikely Android XR will be included initially—especially considering Google has pointed out that Samsung’s Project Moohan will be the pioneer in releasing with Android XR.

Despite its success in the Asian market, Play for Dream is still a relative newcomer in the U.S. Recently, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into their background and goals. Play for Dream was established in 2020 by CEO Huang Feng—also known for founding Wanyoo Esports, the largest esports café chain in Asia, and Bixin, a prominent gaming platform boasting over 60 million users in China.

The executive team is rounded out by Chairman Zong Yuan and CTO Yue Fei, with a workforce of over 200 employees, and all of this has been achieved without any external funding. While they’ve sold several headsets across Asia, the spotlight is now firmly on the U.S. XR market.

Addressing critiques about the headset’s resemblance to Apple’s Vision Pro, a representative explained, “We didn’t set out to compete directly with Apple. Instead, we admired their innovative design and aimed to create our own Android-based vision while drawing inspiration from them.”

One aspect that distinguishes the Play for Dream headset from the Vision Pro is its support for motion controllers, adding to its array of features. This venture gained momentum through a Kickstarter campaign launched in September 2024, raising around $300,000 from 215 backers, and successfully concluding in October.

Initially available to Kickstarter backers, the broader market can expect to see the Play for Dream MR headset by late March. The information provided in this update corrects an earlier price listing of $1,200 during the Kickstarter phase to its current retail price of $1,900.