Upcoming virtual-reality headsets based on Google’s new Daydream VR system could give more people a taste of VR and make better games and applications affordable.
But there are hurdles, including a need to buy a new Android phone – no iPhones.
On Thursday, Google offered more details on its plans to develop a line of VR headsets that promise to be more comfortable and durable than its ultra-cheap Cardboard headset. Google will make one and share design guidelines with other manufacturers.
There will also be a wireless motion controller – functioning like a fishing rod, a steering wheel or a pointer – to permit more-sophisticated VR experiences.
Sophisticated systems such as Facebook’s Oculus Rift and the HTC Vive are expensive, limiting their appeal to gamers and other tech enthusiasts.
Alternatively, cheaper VR headsets that tap the power of smartphones are typically tied to one manufacturer’s phones, such as Samsung’s or LG’s.
Daydream headsets will work with a variety of phone brands. Gartner analyst Brian Blau says he believes the Daydream-powered devices could prove to be a “thorn in the side” of both Samsung and Oculus, which teamed up to make a similar VR headset, called Gear VR, late last year.
OCULUS RESPONDS TO PRVACY QUESTIONS
Oculus relies heavily on Facebook for security and shares information about its users with VR creators.
Those details were among the insights Oculus provided in response to Sen. Al Franken’s questions about consumer privacy when using Oculus’ VR systems.
Franken posted the response from the Facebook-owned company Thursday detailing how Oculus collects and stores user data.
Oculus’ head-mounted Rift system features a pair of high-definition screens that surround a user’s vision with views of virtual worlds. The headset can detect movement, location and sound.
Oculus said collecting the physical movements of users is a necessary tool to deliver “a safe, comfortable and seamless VR experience.”
The company also said it relies on Facebook’s data centers and technical infrastructure to host its VR platform, as well as over 200 security professionals from Facebook to keep the data secure.
“We believe VR has the power to change the world by enabling people to experience anything, anywhere, with anyone, and know that this will only be possible if we invest in the security of our community,” Jordan McCollum, Oculus’ general counsel, wrote in the letter dated May 13.
Oculus, which was founded in Orange County, noted that it shares information with Facebook and aggregated data about users with VR developers but stopped short of indicating whether it has sold such information to third parties