Google Plans Virtual-Reality Operating System Called Daydream
May 18 2016 - 03:45PM
Dow Jones News
By Jack Nicas
Alphabet Inc.'s Google outlined several initiatives around
virtual-reality in a bid to compete with rivals like Facebook Inc.
that have taken an early lead in the emerging technology.
Google on Wednesday said it plans to release an operating system
for virtual reality called Daydream in the fall. The company also
said it would offer a "reference design" that other manufacturers
could use to make virtual-reality headsets that will use
Daydream.
Google hopes Daydream will make it a central player in the
evolution of virtual reality, which many in Silicon Valley believe
will be an important arena for computing. Google said Daydream will
also give developers of virtual-reality programs a common system on
which to create games and experiences for a variety of
headsets.
That mimics Google's approach with its Android mobile-operating
system that powers the vast majority of the world's smartphones. As
with Android, Google is instructing phone makers how to configure
their devices to support Daydream. The approach will give Google
control of an app store for virtual-reality apps.
Google is already a prolific maker of virtual-reality headsets,
with its Cardboard offering that uses a smartphone as a screen and
costs $20. Google has given out more than one million of the
devices, including to most subscribers of the New York Times as
part of a partnership with the paper. Google said Wednesday that
virtual-reality apps had been downloaded more than 50 million times
from its Play app store.
Google's push into virtual reality will intensify its
competition with Facebook, which paid $2 billion for
virtual-reality firm Oculus VR in 2014. Oculus in March began
shipping its Rift headset, which starts at $1,500 with the needed
computer, but shipments have been slowed by a parts shortage.
Oculus also offers virtual-reality software, including an effective
app store that is also available on Samsung's devices, which will
compete directly against Google's new VR software.
HTC Corp. has partnered with gaming firm Valve Corp. to offer a
high-end VR headset, and Sony Corp. is planning its own headset for
its PlayStation game console later this year.
Google also said its model headset will offer higher-quality
experiences than smartphone-based devices, reducing complaints of
motion sickness.
Write to Jack Nicas at jack.nicas@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 18, 2016 15:30 ET (19:30 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2016 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Feb 2024 to Mar 2024
Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2023 to Mar 2024