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Google Announces New Virtual Reality Platform 'Daydream' (androidandme.com)

Posted by BeauHD on from the immerse-yourself dept.

ErnieKey writes: At Google I/O today, the company announced what they are calling "Google Daydream." This is their upcoming virtual-reality platform that takes Google Cardboard several steps further. Daydream is a platform that will provide guidance for both hardware and software developers to create truly immersive Android N compatible VR hardware, games and experiences. The first hardware will be available this Fall. Companies such as HTC, Samsung, ASUS and others are working on smartphone handsets and VR headsets that are Daydream compatible. Game developers like EA and Ubisoft are already working on compatible games. Google is also releasing reference devices including a headset and controller to encourage developers and companies to develop content for Daydream. In addition to Daydream, Google announced Allo, Duo, Instant Apps, and a stable Android N developer preview.

24 comments

  1. So much progress by Hylandr · · Score: 1

    I remember reading an article from some tech magazine in the early 90's that relegated VR as 'Fantasy'.

    Glad we didn't pay attention to the nay-sayers!

    --
    ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
    1. Re:So much progress by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      They are the ones who are day dreaming if they think people want to wear their smartphones like goggles!

    2. Re: So much progress by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, the type of vr people imagined then is still a fantasy. Remember when google used to make teally useful products? No, me either.

    3. Re:So much progress by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I've played around with Oculus Rift. 3D movies and pictures are one good attraction, but the headset is a bit on the heavy side, really needs a strap on the top. Lenses need ventilation, since they tend to steam up. Menu system needs to be consistent. It's a real pain trying to figure out which button / touch-pad gesture to use in order to get out of a 360 movie and back to the main menu.

    4. Re:So much progress by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I used to be excited about VR. With the way our privacy is going out the window and spying and deception are the norm, it's no longer a sweet fantasy world to look forward to. It's going to be monetized all to hell, and you can put your wet dream fantasies away unless you want that to appear on your record somewhere.

    5. Re:So much progress by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      Yet, we still have to see, 8 people on one side of the room, challenge 8 people on the other side of the room, in an extended first person shooter challenge. Who last the longest (how many minutes), what are the scores. Next 8 VR contests versus 8 desktop contestants in a first person shooter (pick 16 and then random team draws). Cough, cough, I think the naysayers still have good arguments because they have had months to do exactly this and 'SILENCE'. They could have done this months ago, and likely quite did but kept it quiet because it did not turn out all that well, a headache and puke athon ?!?, I don't know. The test seems obvious and the challenge should be fun and yet it hasn't happened nor is there any hint of it happening.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    6. Re:So much progress by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Sill pay attention... google unveiled concept drawings. It's still vapourware.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    7. Re: So much progress by Hardness · · Score: 1

      https://www.google.com/work/se...

    8. Re:So much progress by Hylandr · · Score: 1

      Occulus, Samsung, and Steam all presently have viable products that work *very* well. Google is late to this party and there is a wealth of information for them to start with vs what the other guys started with.

      I don't expect it to take Google too long to catch up.

      --
      ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
    9. Re:So much progress by Hylandr · · Score: 1

      Team Fortress 2 has supported the Occulus and it's a blast to play. Even with the developer version. I have one, and it's awesome. You likely haven't heard anything because everyone's been busy playing. :)

      --
      ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
    10. Re:So much progress by Hylandr · · Score: 1

      Also Search for this on YouTube and enjoy.

      'virtual reality room'

      No "Silence" for you!

      --
      ~ People that think they are better than anyone else for any reason are the cause of all the strife in the world.
    11. Re:So much progress by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      A virtual reality room, whilst interesting in and off itself, is not a virtual reality headset. There is a difference, although it would likely be as awkward if changes in that environment did not reflect normal changes with regards to the movements of the players.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
  2. Meanwhile, In other news... by chr1st1anSoldier · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    ... Microsoft is rolling out their extended add campaign to monitize their start menu.

  3. Competition by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    In related news, Microsoft today announced their virtual reality platform based on Windows Phone, called Windows Pipedream.

  4. Why? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    PCs can barely drive VR at shit resolution as is but at least the result does not resemble mid 2000's graphics.

    Why would I buy a phone that costs as much as a laptop only to have it melt into a pile of goo just to drive outdated graphics with shit resolution using a smartphone GPU having neither power nor heat dissipation to support anything approaching sustained use?

    Why does everyone insist on creating a "platform"?

    All the industry needs is to agree on an API to twiddle view matrix and device specific projections. Way too early for anything else at this point. Everything VR has a looong way to go.

  5. Android already has a DayDream feature. by rikkitikki · · Score: 1

    Aren't the Android VR guys aware there's already a feature on Android called DayDream? It's their way of doing screensavers. It's exposed through the DreamService: https://developer.android.com/...

    1. Re:Android already has a DayDream feature. by threephaseboy · · Score: 1

      And then there's Google deepdream

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      .
    2. Re: Android already has a DayDream feature. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That feature was renamed to "screen saver" in N if you try out the developer preview.

    3. Re: Android already has a DayDream feature. by allo · · Score: 1

      oh, a "screen saver"?! Did they patent it, yet?

  6. goood by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    forexroutes.com

  7. Modular phones need to get here fast by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This is a problem. Daydream won't be compatible with current gen phones. In other words, my brand new Galaxy S7 is now outdated. With modular phones, we'd only have to buy a new module for new capabilities like Daydream. Need a higher resolution screen? No problem. Just swap out modules. Need that special chip required for the special thing? Pay $50 instead of buying a whole new device.

  8. Do they...? by RivenAleem · · Score: 2

    Do Android Ns Daydream of Electric Sheep?

  9. Underwhelming by BobSutan · · Score: 1

    If Google really wants to compete in the VR realm they've got to step up their game with something that rivals the Hololens. If someone can combine that with the RIFT they're going to be YUGE in the VR/AR game.

    --
    "On a scale from 1 to 10, people are stupid"