When it comes to virtual reality,
Google has already been very active in getting cheap devices into people's
hands, thanks to Google Cardboard, and even supplying them
with plenty of content to view, through YouTube.
However, 2016 is already a far
bigger year for VR and Google's plans for the entertainment tech are massive
moving forward. During its 2016 Google I/O developers conference, the company
introduced Daydream, a new VR platform for Android devices that's
built right into Android and supported by Google's own viewer hardware,
the Daydream View headset.
Here's everything you need to know
about Daydream, a fresh take on mobile VR.
What is Daydream?
Daydream effectively simplifies access
to virtual reality content on a mobile device.
It comes in three key aspects. There is
an optimal specification list that manufacturers must meet for a smartphone to
be labelled Daydream-ready.
There is a Google-made Daydream View VR headset, although
multiple manufacturers could also build their own designs (as long as they meet
Google's standards).
And there is an all-in-one hub for
VR content. Daydream Home is a one-stop shop where you can start
virtual reality apps or view videos while wearing the headset itself.
Why do we need Daydream?
At present, virtual reality content is
fragmented. It is available from different places, but rarely all accessible
from the one central location. Anyone who's gone through the charade of
watching 360-degree YouTube videos on a Samsung Gear VR will know what we
mean. You have to jump through several hoops just to get to the content you
want to view.
Daydream is designed to solve
that, at least for Android device owners. It will house the content from all
mobile VR developers, no matter who they are. Sources big and small will be
immediately accessible through the hub.
In addition, while Google
Cardboard has been a fun and easy device to use to get a flavour of what
VR is about, it's hardly high-tech or, in many cases, comfortable. The Daydream
View headset is a much more comfortable and practical approach.
What
devices will work with Daydream?
As well as headsets that meet Google's
Daydream specifications, Android smartphones must also match optimal settings
to be called Daydream-ready.
Manufacturers are yet to announce specific
devices, Google's own new smartphones, the Google Pixel (reviewed here) and Google Pixel XL (also reviewed), are both
compatible thanks to being powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor -
currently the only chipset to be certified.
The list of other manufacturers that have
so-far committed to releasing Daydream-ready phones includes Samsung, HTC, LG,
Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, Asus and Alcatel. The same manufacturers could well have
their own headsets in the pipeline, but none have yet been announced.
As well as the Daydream View headset there is also a specific
Daydream remote control, which comes with the Google device. It is designed by
Google and enables users to interact with apps without having to tap the side
of the headset - as in the case with the current Samsung Gear VR - or fiddling
with other on-headset controls.
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