Android VR: What’s the story so far?

You might’ve heard by now: Google is going big on virtual reality in 2016.

We’re in early-days territory still, so it’s hard to be sure, but several reports about executive-level shakeups at the company, as well as VR talent poaching, and now VR-related job listings have indicated Google wants to move beyond its cardboard, DIY approach.

READ: Google Cardboard Camera app: All about ‘VR photos’

Android VR: System-level VR software

Google has been dabbling in virtual reality for a while now, with the company having released a do-it-yourself cardboard kit that turns into a budget virtual-reality headset. Also, more recently, Google-owned YouTube added support for VR-enabled videos. They’re an immersive type of video that require an Android phone, the YouTube app, and Cardboard.

Cardboard’s been a decent success with Google; it’s been a critical aspect of Google’s push to get VR into classrooms, add more 360-degree VR video to YouTube, and get developers on board with creating apps. However, Google likely wants to build on top of Cardboard in order to create a more advanced headset, like what Samsung and Oculus offer with Gear VR.

According to sources of The Financial Times, Google plans to upgrade Android with plenty of VR-friendly software. The result of baking virtual reality compatibility into the core software should be a better experience overall. It’ll result in far less latency and lag, for instance, meaning the user won’t risk feeling dizzy or ill when using a Cardboard viewer.

Cardboard VR experiences currently live in the Cardboard app, but by adding system-level integration to the next version of Android, Google could not only decrease latency but also get more developers and people to embrace the platform altogether. References to a VR helper service have already been found in the current Android N Developer Preview.

Google’s also working on new hardware for its Android VR software. The Financial Times said Google’s upcoming viewer will be like Samsung Gear VR. It could utilise a smartphone but still have motions sensors and controls built-in. It’ll be cross compatible with multiple Android phones too, whereas Samsung Gear VR only supports some Samsung phones.

Re/code believes, however, Google is looking to take on Facebook’s Oculus VR and Microsoft’s HoloLens. The company is reportedly developing a standalone VR headset and not just a viewer that requires a phone. There’s other evidence to suggest Google might be going big on VR in 2016 as well, and we’ve explained everything below.

Android VR: Standalone VR headset

Okay, so we know Google is developing a virtual-reality viwer that is more legit than Cardboard, but a new report has just indicated the company is making another device that doesn’t need a phone or PC.

It’s a standalone headset.

The Wall Street Journal said Google is getting real about virtual reality by developing an “all-in-one virtual-reality headset”. It doesn’t require a secondary device, such as a smartphone, computer, or even a game console, meaning it would be the first headset in recent history to power and display a VR experience all on its own. Even the $599 Oculus Rift relies on a PC.

The planned stand-alone headset should deliver a quality experience as well as feature a screen, high-powered chips, and outward-facing cameras. Google plans to use chips from Movidius, and the cameras will be able to track the motion of the user’s head. WSJ could not specify when this headset might appear. It might debut this year, or Google could even can it.

That said, tech journalist Peter Rojas tweeted in May – ahead of Google’s annual developer conference – that a headset called Android VR will debut at I/O 2016. His news follows a recent reference to “AndroidVR” that was spotted in the latest Unreal Engine preview. Rojas called Android VR a standalone headset but didn’t specify whether it’s a viewer that needs a phone. 

Android VR: Google’s new VR division

According to a report from Re/code in January, Google has been putting together a “dedicated division” solely for virtual-reality computing, and the whole thing is being run by a “key deputy” at the company, who Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google, personally appointed.

Clay Bavor, a vice president for product management, who has long run Google’s apps, such as Gmail, Drive, and Docs, and who was previously been responsible for Cardboard, will focus on developing actual VR products at Google, while his previous apps division as well as web apps will fall under Diane Greene, a senior vice president, who joined Google in November.

Bavor is that key deputy appointed by Pinchai – and his move into virtual reality allegedly shows Google is taking VR seriously. Also, he now has YouTube alum Jason Toff working under him. Toff confirmed in January he was leaving Vine (amid a bunch of high-level Twitter executive departures) to work on the “exciting potential” of virtual reality applications.

According to Re/code, now that Google has a virtual reality division, it’s moving existing Googlers into it. It’s shuffled around 10 employees to a design team for VR, including Joshua To, who led design for apps. He actually worked at Google from 2006 to 2010, then returned in 2014 when Google acquired Hattery. He’ll report to Jon Wiley, a key design head at Google.

Keep in mind over 400 people at Facebook are working on Oculus Rift, which was recently given a steep price and launched in April 2016. So, Google has catching up to do. But it does have some experience, including a built-up apps catalogue, thanks to Cardboard.

Plus, it can capitalise on its investment in augmented reality firm Magic Leap.

Android VR: VR job listings at Google

Google in January posted several job listings, as discovered by Road to VR, confirming its interest in developing VR hardware.

There are 15 job listings related to VR, and some mention positions like “Hardware Engineer, VR Camera Systems” and “Electrical Hardware Engineer.” One listing for a Hardware Engineering Technical Lead Manager said the consumer hardware team is working on “revolutionising how people interact with their hardware, and looking for engineers to make that a reality”.

Engadget reported that Google originally listed some of these jobs specifically with mentions of virtual reality, but it has since replaced most of that phrasing with “consumer hardware” instead. Curiouser and curiouser.

Want to know more?

Check out Pocket-lint’s Google, Virtual Reality, and Cardboard hubs for all the latest news and reviews.