Google is expected to unleash a standalone Android VR headset at the Google I/O 2016 event that will be held next week. Recently, a reference to Android VR was found mentioned in the release notes of recent edition of Unreal Engine 4.12, a suite of tools designed for developing games.
A former technology journalist, Peter Rojas, has managed to get the scoop through his sources.
A series of tweets were posted yesterday from his personal account and several sites were quick to jump on the news.
https://twitter.com/peterrojas/status/730411895920988160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The key message seems to be that it will be less powerful than Vive or Rift. This could mean that Google are trying to tackle the mid-level market that Playstation VR are attempting to secure.
What is clear is that this will be a much different project to Cardboard as that can be inserted into any phone Android phone and used on a supported library of games.
This headset, however, is rumoured to be completely standalone. You won’t even need a PC to plug it into.
https://twitter.com/peterrojas/status/730413344050532352
We know Google are onboard with VR and have supported it from the very beginning, but currently Samsung are leading the charge with the Gear going from strength to strength.
Is this Google’s way of trying to go to the next level? We’ll find out for sure next week.
Agencies/Canadajournal