Google's Daydream View VR headset available next month for $79
Google has just unveiled the Daydream View, which is the first headset in its Daydream VR platform. It will be shipping out in November for $79. The newly released Daydream View can be used for both as a consumer product as well as a general reference design for future Daydream VR headsets. Google hopes it will expand by next year. At Google I/O a few months ago, we saw a line drawing of this device when Google first announced their VR headset. As well as the shipping date next month, we know a lot more than just that.
The body of the Daydream View is made of foam and soft fabric. It has a hinged plastic panel where you place your Android phone. Google claims it weighs 220 grams, which makes it extremely lighter than its competitor, the Gear VR headset. It's held up by velcro, so it is removable and hand-washable. Replacements will also be available to buy for people to buy separately. The Daydream View is currently only working with Google's new Pixel and Pixel XL, but it's supposed to be compatible with any smartphone that ends up supporting the platform, as the hinges can slide out a little bit to hold smartphones of different sizes and thicknesses, as well as some phones in cases. So, future headsets based on this design will be able to work with any Daydream phone.
Google's dream for the Daydream View os to make it easy for people to put their phones in and out in only a few seconds. With that, it has also revealed some new features. When you place an unlocked phone on the front panel, Daydream will launch via an NFC chip. After this, you can also close the panel and start using the headset. When you clamp it close with the elastic loop on the top, a pair of rubber nubs will help the phone detect its position and automatically align the image.
While the basic Daydream controller design has already been seen, Google is showing it off as an actual piece of hardware. The controller features a home button and one menu button. It also includes a clickable trackpad on the end, volume buttons on the side, and sensors on the inside to detect motion. Unlike the Oculus Touch and the HTC Vive, it can't tell your exact position in space, but it can sense where it's pointing as well as loosely follow your hand. The controller fits into a slot which is inside of the headset when you're not using it, so the device is self-contained.
The Daydream View will come in one color of headset and controller, called slate at the time of launch. Later on this year, "snow" and "crimson" versions will be available with an off-white controller. Pre-orders start on October 20th for the US and it will go on sale at Best Buy, Verizon and the Google Store in early November. It will also launch in early November in countries including Canada, Germany, Australia and the UK.
Google will also be getting into what you can exactly do with the Daydream View. They announced a game that ties in with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, and showed how YouTube 260-degree videos look, and Google's Street View. They also said that Hulu, HBO, and Netflix will also be available through apps. Popular games will most likely be also available, but Google didn't share much on that side.
Via: | The Verge | - Source: No source was given |
