Even though Google’s original plan to create a high-end VR headset that would compete with the likes of Oculus has been scrapped, it looks like the company has not given up on VR headsets completely. Sources indicate that Google had assigned about 50 employees at its X lab in order to create a standalone VR device powered by a unique operating system, but that project is no longer in development. Instead, the company has shifted its attention on another device that will include both virtual reality and augmented reality features. It’s worth noting that we are not referring to Daydream, which is the company’s mobile VR platform that was unveiled back in May.
What makes this new upcoming interesting is that it will reportedly be able to work without a computer or a phone, which means that it will indeed be quite similar to existing augmented reality systems. In February, The Wall Street Journal indicated that Google’s upcoming standalone VR system was using “outward-facing cameras” and a Movidius chip that could track the wearer’s head movements. Even though there’s no release date in sight for this new technology, it’s probably safe to assume that it will be quite impressive, and I definitely can’t wait to finally see it in action.
