According to foreign media reports, three years ago, Google launched a $20 DIY kit. This device, called Cardboard, can turn all phones into VR viewers.
This product is very simple, low-cost and highly compatible, so that the New York Times sent one free copy to all print newspaper subscribers. It stands in stark contrast to the high-end VR devices launched by Facebook's Oculus.
How much difference will result from three years? Now, the self-made Google has come to the forefront of augmented reality and virtual reality technology with its Daydream View VR helmet.
Daydream View VR helmet is a new product launched by Google in 2016. It can turn a mobile phone into a head-mounted VR viewer. It is a special Tango phone with an advanced augmented reality camera that can superimpose digital objects onto the real world. A brand new standalone version of Daydream (without a mobile phone) is coming soon.
What about Cardboard? Yes, it still exists.
How does Google plan to lead the new AR and VR world? Of course not only with a product, but through a series of different solutions to achieve this goal.
Daydream View: Not only has it been further improved, but it also supports more mobile phones
Daydream View can turn a compatible mobile phone into a headset VR viewer. This is Google's product for Samsung's Gear VR, which now has about 150 compatible applications. It was launched by Google along with Pixel and Pixel XL phones last year. It is also compatible with Moto Z and Z Force, Huawei Mate 9 Pro and ZTE Axon 7 phones.
Google has upgraded its Daydream software to version 2.0 (product code Euperates), adding new features such as sharing VR videos with friends, networking with others in apps like YouTube, and not having to remove the phone from the helmet to view Android notifications. Google will also add more new phones to the list of Daydream-compatible devices, including:
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus: Samsung's new flagship phone has been able to support its own Gear VR helmet and hundreds of VR applications. After upgrading the software this summer, these phones are also compatible with Google's Daydream View VR helmets. These phones are also the only phones that can support multiple VR platforms. But you cannot use the same VR helmet or application on different platforms. You must have two VR helmets and two different accounts at the same time. For beginners, this is obviously more troublesome.
LG's next phone: This phone may be an upgrade to the V20, such as the V30?
Motorola's next phone: Moto Z and Z Force are already compatible with Daydream View VR helmets, but other VR helmets will not work.
ASUS ZenFone AR: ZenFone AR is a relatively rare mobile phone that can handle Google Daydream View VR and Google Cash Tango augmented reality camera in a mobile phone at the same time. In fact, only this phone can do this now. However, these two technologies do not interact smoothly.
Tango Augmented Reality: A Different Proposition
At the other extreme is Google’s advanced camera technology, Tango, which can achieve augmented reality on mobile phones. Tango can also scan the entire room in 3D, just like an indoor map tool. It can detect the space in the room and subtly add virtual objects to make them look real.
Tango is an exciting technology, but Google has only developed two phones equipped with Tango cameras. The larger Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is already on the market, and the Asus ZenFone AR will also be available this summer.
As mentioned above, ZenFone AR is bi-directional, it can be used with Daydream View VT, it can also use advanced AR applications. However, Google's Tango and Daydream View VT compatible application libraries are very different. So far, only a 3D scanning application is available. That is the Tango constructor, which can support Tango and various VR helmets. Daydream View VR requires that the phone be turned into a helmet, and Tango can be used without a helmet.
In fact, only the Tango phone is compatible with Google's AR Expedition application.
Coming soon: Independent VR helmet, no need for mobile phone
So far, consumer VR products have been focused on high-end devices that can be connected to PCs and game consoles, such as HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, PlayStation VR, and Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10 helmet, as well as various helmets such as Daydream. View, Gear VR, etc. However, Google will soon separate the Daydream platform from a non-mobile helmet.
HTC and Lenovo will produce the first batch of independent Daydream products that will use Qualcomm's chips. These helmets will be completely independent and can be used without a mobile phone. They will also have a built-in WorldSense camera to track the movement and movement of the user indoors. This is similar to Microsoft's upcoming cheap VR helmets, but unlike those products, Google does not require networking these devices.
What is the price of these mobile phones? How is the battery life? Are they fun and easy to use? We do not know the answer to these questions yet, but these new products are certainly more advanced than the helmet solutions that were introduced last year and must be connected to mobile phones. This situation seems to be gratifying, but the cost of purchasing an independent helmet is certainly higher.
VR and AR: Next-Generation Standard Configuration, But Not Now
Daydream is for mobile phones, and Tango is an independent Daydream. There are also TouTube 360 ​​360 degree videos.
Choose a lot, you can even say too much. But it reminded me of Cardboard.
guess what? Cardboard can still work, although the appearance is not very good-looking, features are not many, but you can even use it on the iPhone. But this is still the best way for children and people who do not understand hardware technology to share VR. Daydream View and Tango are not VR for everyone, but only for people with relevant devices.
But this is only the current situation. Daydream and Tango's compatibility will cover high-end and even mid-range Android phones in a year or two. After 7 years, most mainstream mobile phones may support VR and AR.
The price of an independent VR helmet may be relatively low, and it will be very popular. Google seems to want to win the competition through all-out strikes. . For those who plan to buy a mobile phone now, this means some simple choices. But for Google, this may be a win-win deal that will compete with Microsoft, Faceboook and Apple in all aspects.
Guangzhou Etmy Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.digitaltalkie.com