In their I/O Google pretty much confirms the earlier rumours that Android N will have greater support for Virtual Reality (VR) than any other Android version. In fact, Google has come up with an entirely new support platform and it’s called Daydream.
Daydream is basically Google’s platform for high quality, mobile virtual reality, and the best part is that it comes with Google-designed headset and controller.
Yup, apparently everyone has been doing VR headsets and controllers wrong so Google is stepping in. The search engine giant has released what they’re calling a reference design for both the headset and the controller which they will use to work closely with their partners across the Android ecosystem. The best part? The first of these headsets and controllers will be arriving this fall and they will work seamlessly with what Google calls “Daydream-ready smartphones”.
Google’s VR controller looks impressive if you can look past its TV remote looks. It seems to work like a sophisticated Wii controller allowing users to point, gesture, flick and move stuff within virtual reality.
That aside, what is a Daydream-ready smartphone? With Android N, Google is baking in more support for VR than ever before, including a dedicated VR Mode that lets notifications appear more naturally within a VR UI as well as a greatly reduced latency (under 20 milliseconds).
So, smartphones that are Daydream-ready are smartphones that have sensors that are powerful enough for accurate head-tracking, displays have fast response times to minimise blur and powerful mobile processors. Think of Steam and their VR-ready PCs and you’ll get a general idea.
According to Google, several smartphone manufacturers including Samsung, Huawei, ZTE, ASUS, Alcatel, Xiaomi and HTC will have Daydream-ready smartphones and many of which will be available this fall.
But VR is only as good as their apps, so Google is working with sites like The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, HBO and IMAX to bring their libraries and news to Daydream so you can experience their content like never before.
Google are also working with game developers like Ubisoft, EA, CCP and more to create games that can take advantage of all the new juicy VR features Google has placed into Android N.
Google has also optimised many of their apps for VR including a special Google Play app store. They’ve also rebuilt the YouTube app to allow users to experience VR on the video streaming site like never before, including spatial audio and improved VR video streaming. Google Photos and Google Play Movies have also been tweaked to give users unique VR experiences.
Things are looking pretty good for Android N and mobile VR this fall.
