Soon we can play in a virtual Daydream
Google is taking a long, hard look at virtual reality. Pretty soon it will be releasing “Daydream.” Daydream is Google’s platform for high quality mobile virtual reality. So far this is a space dominated almost exclusively by Samsung and Oculus, but it’s interesting to note that Samsung and Google have close ties as well. Whether or not we’ll be able to use our Samsung Gear VR headsets in conjunction with Daydream is unknown, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t be an option.
Daydream will be an Android based client out of which VR apps, videos, and games will be played, much like the Oculus suite that boots up when you plug your phone into the Samsung Gear VR. Google will also host its own storefront to offer exclusive content. Bloomberg Tech reports that Google is spending five and six-figure sums here and there, trying different things, and seeing what works. We know that a few YouTube stars have been recruited to produce content, and HBO Now will also provide content. Of course, we can expect to see plenty of games as well.
We don’t know exactly when Daydream will launch, but Google has begun rolling out Android OS updates to prepare for its arrival. When it launches, as long as it’s compatible with my Samsung Gear VR headset, I’ll be sure to try it out and let you guys know how it stacks up to what Oculus has had to offer. Hopefully the competition drives the quality of content up, and prices down.
