# VR Smartphone Platforms Google Daydream is an Android Version That's Optimized for VR By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-05-19 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-daydream References: [wired](http://www.wired.com/2016/05/android-vr-daydream-googles-plan/) & [vr.google](https://vr.google.com/daydream/) 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. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.6/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### 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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive AI Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/samsung-galaxy-xr.md) - [Refocused Mixed Reality Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-glasses.md) - [Mixed Reality Headset Prototypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/play-for-dream.md) - [Versatile Spatial Computers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spatial-computer.md) - [Sports-Focused VR Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jiodive.md) - [Ski Goggle-Inspired AR Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-iris.md) - [Gaming-Ready AR Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/qualcomm-snapdragon-ar2-platform.md) - [Goggle-Shaped VR Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/htc-2.md) - [Lightweight VR Headsets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightweight-vr-headset.md)