Google's Daydream View is a mobile VR headset unveiled at its event on October 4, Tuesday that featured its new Pixel smartphones. The gadget built on its Android-like mobile VR platform is challenging Samsung's Gear VR that was developed with Oculus Rift's maker. View is an upgrade to the tech giant's Cardboard VR headset while the VR team's goal was to make tech simpler and easily accessed.
Cardboard was released in June 2014. Since then it has sold over 5 million units and has been involved with deals including Mattel, LG, Volvo, The New York Times, and Star Wars.
The Daydream View team focused on making the VR headset stylish, comfortable, and easy to use. It has high specs and a good field of view.
The VR gadget also has low latency with Google's new Pixel phone. This will help to speed up the device's performance and is an upgrade from Cardboard's low-latency VR.
Google's new viewer is also almost one-third lighter than similar VR headsets and fits well over eyeglasses.
Daydream View includes materials used in clothes and athletic wear such as soft microfibers. This helps to provide maximum comfort for VR fans.
A latch in the front of the gadget allows users to drop in their smartphones. View also connects to smartphones through wireless connectivity.
Daydream View owners use a small wireless controller with buttons to interact with the virtual world. Tiny sensors inside the controller respond to people as they point, aim, and swing. The controller can be attached to the headset when not in use.
Daydream will get 50 apps including Google Play Movies, Hulu, and Google Maps. Maps will give VR headset owners the chance to take 150 virtual tours.
Clay Bavor heads Google's VR team. He announced at the Pixel event his team was not just developing VR technology but also something that will become illustrious in today's world, according to Wired.
Google's Daydream View headset will cost $79. It hits stores in November and is now available for pre-order.
In related news, Sony's PlayStation VR provides a virtual reality experience that is between high-end Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and budget gadgets including the $20 Google Cardboard.
PSVR's $399 price tag is much lower than Rift and Vive. Gamers who already own a PS4 console and PlayStation Camera will have a much lower "all-in" price, and can avoid buying an expensive VR-ready PC, according to Ars Technica.
PSVR launches on October 13.