As it stands, smartphone users who want to access virtual reality content must rely on apps from developers and ones like YouTube that let them tap into 360-degree video content—the introduction of Google Daydream is set to change the entire virtual reality experience on mobile.
Google recently announced Google Daydream, as "a platform for high-quality mobile virtual reality." This means that the next Android version will be highly integrated with VR capabilities. For instance, docking a phone will launch Daydream Home, which allows apps from Netflix, Ubisoft and more to open to provide a new kind of ultra-accessible form of immersive at-home entertainment.
Alongside the announcement of the Google Daydream system at this year's I/O developer conference, Google introduced a reference design for its own VR headset and motion controller.
What's Driving This Trend
- High-quality Mobile Virtual Reality
- The introduction of Google Daydream is set to change the entire virtual reality experience on mobile, providing a new kind of ultra-accessible form of immersive at-home entertainment.
- Integration of VR with Android
- The next Android version will be highly integrated with VR capabilities, opening up opportunities for developers to create innovative VR apps.
- VR Headset and Motion Controller
- The introduction of a reference design for Google's own VR headset and motion controller presents new possibilities for the VR hardware industry.
Who This Affects Most
- Mobile App Development
- Mobile app developers have the opportunity to create high-quality virtual reality apps that take advantage of the integration with Android and the immersive at-home entertainment provided by Google Daydream.
- Entertainment (film/tv/gaming)
- The entertainment industry can leverage the integration of VR with Android to create new immersive experiences for film, TV, and gaming audiences, opening up new revenue streams.
- Virtual Reality Hardware
- The introduction of Google's VR headset and motion controller reference design presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the virtual reality hardware industry to develop new and improved VR devices.
