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Here Comes Native VR Support in Android N

By Avery Pacheco, 08/06/2016, updated on 21/01/2022

VR, for virtual reality, is a technology that replicates an environment and simulates a user's physical presence and environment to allow for user interaction. Google had made its own VRs, Cardboard and Gear VR, and brought them to mobile device. Now, it is going to unveiled Daydream, a new generation of Google VR.

Now let's just figure out what Daydream is. Cut to the chase. Daydream is the next mobile VR platform. It will come in autumn 2016 along with or may shortly after Android N is released in the Google I/O.

Daydream

On the Google I/O event, the rough sketch of Daydream was shown off even if the actual handset had not been manufactured. The handset and controller designed by Google will be a reference for other manufacturers like Samsung, Huawei and more. Google has been working on this product. It is said that the first handset will debut this year and Google will bring it to the market.

According to Google, Samsung, Alcatel, Asus, HTC, LG, Xiaomi and ZTE will specially produce handsets for Daydream.

Although we still don't know much about Daydream by now, Google has revealed a few details about the controller. It is said that it resembles a Wii remote. And it will share some physical traits of Apple TV remote.

Daydream Sketch

On the top of the controller, there will be a clickable touchpad, which brings native touchscreen-like gesture to the virtual world. Next to the clickable touchpad is the app button. With it, you can put apps within the view. The other one is home button, which will return you to the home screen of Daydream.

Daydream Remote

The hub is refined and exactly the same to Oculus Home within the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR. It is available to navigate the menus. Then you can switch between funny apps, fantastic games and exciting movies.

Daydream Hub

Daydream requires three assistants to help it work, including a VR-ready smartphone, which comes with a high quality system on chip. Sources have suggested that Daydream will provide better performance than the Gear VR, but (understandably) not as good as what the Rift or Vive can push.