vr Stories May 22, 2018
Announced as a “secret project” last year, Google today unveiled a high-resolution OLED display that more than triples the pixels per inch (PPI) count of current consumer headsets from HTC and Oculus. Created in partnership with LG, this screen has a 1443 PPI, wide field-of-view, and is optimized for mobile augmented and virtual reality.
vr Stories December 15, 2017
YouTube VR has officially arrived for Steam, but it apparently has some early problems
YouTube is one of the best places to find content, and that includes virtual reality media. 360-degree content is all over Google’s platform, and now, those with VR headsets connected to PCs will be able to access that properly.
vr Stories November 14, 2017
Back at Google I/O, the company announced partnerships with HTC and Lenovo to debut a new collection of Daydream-powered headsets that would run independently of a smartphone. It’s an excellent idea, but we never got any concrete details on when they would debut. Now, HTC has revealed more information — it’s no longer making one.
vr Stories September 26, 2017
Chrome now allows any webpage to be displayed in Daydream VR
Web browsing is slowly making its way to virtual reality, and Google is pushing for developers to support the new “WebVR” platform. However, not everyone supports it just yet. Previously, that meant those websites couldn’t be viewed in a VR headset, but now, they can.
vr Stories September 19, 2017
Google’s mobile VR platform Daydream has grown a lot over the past year, but the hardware hasn’t changed at all. Google’s Daydream View has been the only option, and it’s definitely not perfect. Now, it looks like Google is planning to refresh it at the upcoming October 4th event.
vr Stories September 15, 2017
The possibilities with virtual reality are endless, but even since the days of Google Cardboard, Google Earth has been one of the highlights for newcomers to the VR platform. Yesterday, Google announced that its Google Earth VR app is being updated to support Street View images.
vr Stories July 25, 2017
Google’s Daydream VR platform is arguably the best mobile VR option, but it only works on a small portion of the vast Android ecosystem. Devices like the Pixel, Moto Z, and ZTE Axon 7 are all supported, but there’s not much outside of that. Yesterday on Google’s earnings call, CEO (and recently appointed Alphabet board member) Sundar Pichai revealed that quite a few more compatible devices are incoming.
vr Stories May 18, 2017
One of the main issues with mobile VR such as Daydream or Samsung’s Gear VR is that even the top of the line smartphones just don’t have the processing power required to smoothly render graphically intense visuals. To help with this, Google has created Seurat, a tool that takes full 3D environments and turns them into scenes that can be viewed on mobile VR, all without losing huge amounts of quality…
During a keynote focused on VR and AR at day 2 of I/O 2017, Google announced Daydream 2.0, a major update slated for later this year. Codenamed Euphrates, there is a focus on easier sharing, improved interface, and Chrome.
vr Stories March 29, 2017
Just like Harman (and, more specifically, AKG) are helping Samsung to step up its audio game, Oculus is the firm’s partner of choice when it comes to VR.
Together, they are today announcing a “renewed” version of the Gear VR headset, which comes with a cool new controller…
vr Stories March 13, 2017
New Google VR job listings could point to new hardware in the pipeline
Google’s efforts in VR have been fairly extensive, but I wouldn’t call any of them particularly impressive. Google Cardboard is widespread and simple, while Daydream VR is intuitive, comfortable, and provides one of the best VR experiences on mobile. New job listings, though, might point to Google having something else up its sleeve…
vr Stories March 7, 2017
Google has today made some replacement facepads available for its Daydream View VR headset. You can pick them up right now on the Google Store for $15.
vr Stories February 21, 2017
In addition to mobile and desktop software, Google also creates software for dedicated virtual reality platforms. Launched last year, Tilt Brush and Google Earth are impressive VR experiences for the HTC Vive. Nearly a year later, the former app is now available for the competing Oculus Rift.
vr Stories February 20, 2017
Samsung helped usher in the premium mobile VR experience a couple of years ago with the debut of the Gear VR headset. In the time since, that headset has evolved slightly to offer better viewing angles, improved comfort, and of course, to accommodate new devices from the company. As we approach the release of the Galaxy S8, it seems like Samsung is getting ready to bring a new headset to the table, this time with a dedicated controller.
vr Stories February 15, 2017
These are not the best days for HTC. The Taiwanese company has been stumbling for quite a while, both financially and in the eye of critics and consumers. One thing seems to have paid off, however: its VR efforts. That’s why, as per a CNET interview, the company is looking forward to progressively shifting its core business to that…
vr Stories January 26, 2017
VR is growing fast, whether that’s on desktops and consoles, or on mobile devices. While there’s no doubt that most impressive options have come in the PC-powered section of the market, such as the HTC Vive, we’ve also seen some very capable mobile options, like Samsung’s Gear VR and Google’s Daydream View. Now, the man who led the design team on HTC’s Vive is heading to Google Daydream.
vr Stories January 20, 2017
360° videos on YouTube are now available for PlayStation VR
YouTube is one of the first stops for most VR users, mainly because it’s one of the few apps supported on nearly every VR platform. However, PlayStation’s first step into VR didn’t include YouTube, until now.
Deal: Samsung’s Gear VR headset is currently half off on Amazon
VR on mobile is one of the least expensive ways to get into the space since you can use the smartphone you already own. However, many mobile VR solutions aren’t all that impressive. There are two clear leaders — Google’s Daydream, and the Samsung Gear VR. If you use a recent Samsung device, your choice should be pretty obvious, and there’s no better time to buy than right now.
vr Stories January 5, 2017
Last year, Google announced that many upcoming Android devices would support the Daydream VR platform. At CES, Asus announced the Daydream-ready ZenFone AR and ZTE noted that support was coming to the Axon 7 with Nougat. Today, Google announced the addition of Huawei’s Mate 9 and Mate 9 Pro, as well as the first third-party Daydream viewer.
vr Stories December 7, 2016
If there’s one thing that New York City and the Christmas festivity have in common, magic is surely it. Its streets get decorated with specially-themed ornaments of all kinds, and the retail stores’ windows are tweaked accordingly, as well.
And Google, with its latest initiative, wanted to capture that magic as best as it could…
vr Stories November 24, 2016
Kicking off Thanksgiving Day starts for many with the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. This year, Verizon has teamed up with Macy’s and NBC Universal to stream the parade in 360-degrees, perfect for VR viewing.
vr Stories November 16, 2016
In the mid-2000s, one of the coolest pieces of software to play around with was Google Earth. That experience is now coming to high-end virtual reality headsets with Google Earth VR. For the moment, it is available for free on Steam, but only for the HTC Vive.
vr Stories November 15, 2016
Hulu for Android updated with Daydream support, creating your VR living room
Daydream VR is finally here and for those who pre-ordered the Pixel early, promo codes for a free headset should be in their inboxes. Once you get a headset, the first thing you’ll want is some content to go along with it. There are plenty of apps already available with Daydream support, but now Hulu has updated its Android app with support.
vr Stories November 10, 2016
Like many of you, I first heard of Google’s Daydream platform — then rumored to be called Android VR — back at Google I/O 2016. I had hope that Google would pull an actual VR headset out of a hat at its annual developer conference, but, unsurprisingly, that didn’t happen. I felt a bit let down when I learned that the company was rather going to double-down on Cardboard.
It seemed like a good idea in theory, but I was skeptical. Would smartphone-in-a-headset ever be a good enough experience for people to use VR for any longer than 10 minutes? Can phones handle captivating VR experiences? I’m still not completely sure, but having now spent a week with Daydream, I feel for now that the answer is going to be yes and no.
vr Stories November 7, 2016
Google VR Services hits the Play Store, details receiving notifications while in Daydream
Ahead of Daydream View’s launch later this week, some pre-orders have already begun to ship. However, early owners are unable to enter VR due to several missing apps. Google VR Services has just hit the Play Store and is one part closer to enabling the complete Daydream experience.
vr Stories October 24, 2016
Aside from the Pixel and the Assistant, which certainly were the stars of Google‘s October 4 show, we noticed that the company put a lot of emphasis on virtual reality too, first introduced via its software platform Daydream back at this year’s I/O and now fully launched into the world with the View headset.
But there’s still more in the making…
vr Stories October 4, 2016
Google purges the Google Store, dropping Nexus devices, VR, NVIDIA Shield, Dell Chromebook 13
After releasing a plethora of new hardware yesterday, Google has decided to remove multiple other products from the Google Store to make room for the new arrivals…
Google’s long rumored foray into virtual reality saw the company taking it relatively easy with its Cardboard efforts, but the company’s vision for VR goes much beyond that. In addition to Daydream, the VR platform announced back in May at its I/O conference, we now finally have an official announcement of its companion headset…
vr Stories October 3, 2016
We’re less than 24 hours away from Google’s highly anticipated unveiling of the Pixel phones, but that’s not all we’re going to see. We’ve known since Google I/O that Google has been working on a special virtual reality headset for Daydream, and we even expected to see it at this event, but now we know the price tag too.
vr Stories September 23, 2016
Samsung may not be going through one of its best moments —offsetting a generally positive 2016 — but that doesn’t mean that the company is standing still; quite the opposite, in fact. Other than a rumored “early” launch, new information claims that the Galaxy S8 will represent quite the step forward in terms of raw performance compared to this year’s top device, especially graphics-wise…
vr Stories August 23, 2016
With the release of Android 7.0 Nougat, Google is moving past the Summer break and springing right into the dense, final months of the year with a series of exciting announcements, which more or less span across all of its properties. With software comes hardware, too, but while we may have to wait just a tad longer for the upcoming Nexus devices to be unveiled officially, VR may be really close…
vr Stories August 2, 2016
Along with the new Galaxy Note 7 today, Samsung announced a revamped version of the Gear VR. Significant changes include a jet black design, USB-C (with backwards micro-USB compatibility), and a wider field of view. The headset will cost $99 and ship on August 19th.
vr Stories July 18, 2016
A Google I/O 2014 attendee wearing a Project Tango/Cardboard hybrid
A report from Recode a few days ago said that a project in Google X to create a “high-end standalone” VR headset was recently cancelled in favor of more focus on Android — and, specifically, the Mountain View company’s new Daydream platform. Now, another report (via Engadget) says that Google is indeed still working on a standalone headset, albeit one “that blurs the line between virtual reality and augmented reality.”
vr Stories June 28, 2016
VR is slowly taking over the tech space as more and more companies make their attempts to steal your content-consuming eyeballs. As you may know, Google was among the first to debut a mobile VR experience with Google Cardboard, but it was pretty barebones to say the least.
At Google I/O 2016 we got a sneak peek at what Google has in store for virtual reality in the coming months with Google Daydream. And right around the corner from the full Android N release, Google has debuted a set of developer tools to allow anyone with a Nexus 6P to test out Daydream right now…
vr Stories June 21, 2016
It’s only been a few months since the arrival of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge on the market — and, more recently, the rugged S7 Active sibling as well — but while the rumor mill is in full swing regarding the ever-closer Galaxy Note 7, reports keep coming regarding next year’s flagship too…
vr Stories June 16, 2016
Magic Leap isn’t part of Google, but Google put enough money — more than $500 million — into the startup early on that it might not be around if not for the help of the Mountain View firm. So far, Magic Leap has been amazingly secretive in its progress toward developing the next generation of augmented reality and mixed reality — so much so that almost any glimpse into the company’s projects is notable.
Today, the company has announced that it is working with LucasFilm and ILMxLAB to build immersive Star Wars experiences based on its tech…
vr Stories June 9, 2016
The OnePlus 3‘s official announcement is just around the corner. Less than a week from now, the Chinese company will fully unveil its new flagship device, but leaks seem keep pouring out in the meantime.
A Weibo post lets us take an even closer look at the device…
vr Stories June 8, 2016
There certainly is a lot happening in Samsung‘s hardware department. Following a general slowdown of the immense growth smartphones have enjoyed over the past lustrum in particular, OEMs are preparing for a new wave of next-generation devices.
Amid the numerous experimental projects the company is working on, however, we can expect that a more ‘safe’ Galaxy S8 will hit the market some time in the first half of 2017, and rumor has it that its display will move to a jaw-dropping 4K resolution (via KoreaHerald) …
vr Stories June 3, 2016
Where most of Samsung’s craziness comes from its technologies — be it prototypes, advertising or actual devices — OnePlus is mostly renowned for its controversy. Things such as “Smash The Past” as well as the (now fortunately gone) invite system made their way to the headlines more than once, and the company may be on the verge of repeating itself again…
Huawei‘s ambition are not small. At the Wall Street Journal and f.ounders-held Converge technology conference in Hong Kong, Huawei director Richard Yu — who heads the company’s consumer electronic business — made it clear that the firm’s short term plan is more than aggressive…
vr Stories May 30, 2016
OnePlus is indeed a company that likes to stick out and do things a little differently. This can cause controversy at times, but either way the firm has done a good job — especially among the myriad of relatively new Chinese OEMs — letting its name be known.
Today, the company has announced that the upcoming OnePlus 3 flagship will be part of an exclusive “Peer Review” program, to which everyone is invited…
vr Stories May 26, 2016
ZTE has just unveiled the next phone in its series of high performance, affordable, flagship-beating smartphones; the ZTE Axon 7. Like last year’s Axon, this year’s model seeks to offer a competitive experience at a price which undercuts similar smartphones from big-name manufacturers, and it might succeed at just $450 USD.
vr Stories May 23, 2016
UPDATE: It happened really fast, but the 30,000 Loop VR headsets are already gone. However, as per Carl Pei, some of the orders placed didn’t go through fully, and pending, missed payments will result in cancelled orders.
If there is a big trend going on now in mobile, that’s virtual reality. Last week at Google I/O, we saw the Mountain View company announcing its new VR-dedicated platform, Daydream, which will be compatible with Android N and a lot of the devices that will come throughout the rest of 2016 and beyond.
One of those phones will likely be the OnePlus 3, which the company’s co-founder Carl Pei today announced will repeat its virtual reality launch with, and will do so with its own newly revealed Loop VR headset…
vr Stories May 21, 2016
In this week’s top stories we round up all of our coverage from Google I/O, the company’s annual developer conference where it also took the wraps off a number of upcoming hardware and software products. Android N Developer Preview 3, the Play Store comes to Chrome, Google Assistant, the new Daydream VR platform and much, much more. expand full story
vr Stories May 19, 2016
Google has announced today that it is working with Yi Technology to build a 360-degree circular Jump camera rig from its 4K Action Cam, which will launch later this year. On top of that, it has also revealed a new collaborative partnership with IMAX to develop more high-end commercial film production-quality cameras. In other words: Google’s getting very serious about VR (as if we didn’t know that already).
vr Stories May 18, 2016
VR head Clay Bavor took to the stage today at Google I/O to announce that more (unannounced until today) virtual reality features are coming to Android N. Specifically, the company announced the Daydream platform for high quality mobile VR that will be available this fall…
vr Stories May 13, 2016
As I/O approaches, Google is doubling down on virtual reality with a new head of business and operations for the division (via Recode). Formerly president of Google for Work, Amit Singh announced today that he was moving to Google VR as vice president.
vr Stories May 11, 2016
With Google I/O starting next week, veteran tech journalist Peter Rojas has tweeted that Android VR will launch as a dedicated, standalone headset. This corroborates earlier reports and the mention of “AndroidVR” we saw yesterday in the latest Unreal Engine preview.
