We already know that Google isn’t a stranger to virtual reality, after all they have had Google Cardboard out for awhile now. But there’s a new report that the company is working on releasing a Google VR headset and will release it as early as this year. We’re not talking Cardboard here, we’re talking Samsung Gear VR quality and HTC Vive build quality. While Google Cardboard is fun and functional, it does lack a bit of luster and refinement some of the competition has. Engadget reports that “insiders” are telling them this is happening as early as this year and on top of that, the next version of Android could have VR baked right into it.
With Apple also rumored to be climbing into the VR market, Google could beat them swiftly to the market if they release later this year. Business Insider has a piece written up discussing the seven signs that Apple is jumping into the VR business and they read as follows.
- Apple is staffing up with VR employees
- Apple has bought at least 4 startups that specialized in related technologies
- Apple Stores recently started selling a product that turns an iPhone into a virtual-reality headset
- Apple is suddenly a regular visitor to Stanford’s virtual-reality laboratory
- Rumor has it that the iPhone 7 will include a new type of camera useful in augmented reality
- Apple has filed patents in the VR space
- When asked about it, CEO Tim Cook couldn’t deny his interest
This is a prime opportunity for Google to get their VR product to market, it will also be interesting to see how Samsung and HTC do against a Google VR headset. The Gear VR has been decently received and HTC’s Vive has gotten some seriously great comments, even from our own Justin Jelinek who tested it out at CES 2016.
What do you think of Google potentially releasing a full VR headset? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below or on Google+, Facebook and Twitter.
[button link=”http://www.engadget.com/2016/02/07/google-vr-headset-leak/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Engadget[/button]Last Updated on January 23, 2017.
