Google Daydream

Daydream is a virtual reality (VR) platform developed by Google.[1] It was announced at Google I/O 2016 and was released on November 10, 2016.[2]

Contrasting from Google's first VR platform, Google Cardboard, Daydream is built-into the Android operating system starting with the release of Android 7.1 Nougat. The platform includes both software and hardware specifications, designating compatible phones "Daydream-Ready". Google has also announced a VR mode in Android Nougat to handle high computation needs of virtual reality apps. It is the first VR platform to incorporate material design. Google plans on enhancing some of its stock Android apps to be VR apps. Google's Daydream View headset is priced at $79, which is less than most of its competitors in the market.

Hardware

An early representation of Google's design of a Daydream-compatible headset

Sensors used on the Daydream have capabilities like 9 axis IMUs for precision tracking, wireless, Bluetooth low energy (LE). A USB Type-C connector will be used, supporting fast charging. It is powered by 220 mAh battery with run-time up to 12 hours[citation needed].

Phones

Daydream will only work on new phones with specific components. Google announced at I/O that eight hardware partners will make Daydream-ready phones: Samsung, HTC, LG, Xiaomi, Huawei, ZTE, Asus and Alcatel.[1] The first "Daydream-Ready" phone was the ZTE Axon 7, which was released on July 27, 2016.[3] On October 4, 2016, during the #MadeByGoogle event, Google announced the first available Daydream headset is the Daydream View. Also during the event, Google claimed that their Pixel phones are the first official Daydream-ready devices.

Headset

The Google Daydream View was announced on October 4, 2016, as the first headset for Daydream. Daydream ready phones can be placed in the front compartment of the Daydream View and then viewed in VR through the device's two lenses. The Daydream View distinguished itself from previous VR head mounts by being constructed out of a light-weight cloth material, as well as featuring capacitive nubs and an NFC chip to simplify the process of setting up virtual reality viewing.[4] Google says it made Daydream View out of cloth to match the type of material people wear on their bodies. Instead of hard plastic like competitors, Daydream View is covered in cloth and will be available in three colors: Slate, Snow, and Crimson, though the latter two options will not initially be available at launch in November. Google claims that the headset fits over most eyeglasses and is hand-washable.

Controller

Daydream headsets are packaged with a wireless controller. This controller can be used for interacting with the virtual world through button presses or through waving the device. The remote control can be used for navigating menus, playing games and even walking around virtually in Google Street View. On-board sensors are used to track the orientation of the controller and approximate the position of the user's hand. The controller gives user six degrees of freedom in space. For the Google Daydream Viewer, the controller can be stored inside the headset while not in use.[5]

Software

Google will be adding a feature known as Android VR mode in the latest version of Android.[6] This mode will give VR apps exclusive access to processor cores while they are in the foreground, reducing latency. Both the Unity engine and Epic's Unreal Engine will support Daydream.[4]

Daydream in Android originally referred to feature that allowed user to enable screen that showed when device was docked or plugged in a charger introduced in Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. This was renamed to screen saver in Android 7.0 Nougat. It has been suggested that Daydream will use Google Tango.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b Robertson, Adi (2016-05-18). "Daydream is Google's Android-powered VR platform". The Verge. Retrieved 2016-05-18. 
  2. ^ "Google Daydream Launch Date Confirmed". VRFocus. Retrieved 2016-05-18. 
  3. ^ "ZTE Axon 7 release date and price put Google Daydream within reach". Retrieved 2016-08-17. 
  4. ^ a b "Daydream VR hands-on: Google's "dumb" VR headset is actually very clever". Retrieved 2016-10-05. 
  5. ^ "Google's Daydream View VR headset goes on sale next month for $79". Retrieved 2016-10-05. 
  6. ^ "Gear VRs for everyone! Google turns Android into a VR-ready OS: Daydream". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2016-05-18. 

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