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Google I/O 2017: Standalone Google VR Headsets from HTC, Lenovo Coming Soon

One of the major drawbacks to using virtual reality (VR) headsets is being tethered to a smartphone or PC while immersed in an experience. However, yesterday at the annual Google I/O 2017 developer conference, Google unveiled an upcoming “revolutionary” standalone VR headset that aims to change that. The headset will be manufactured by HTC and Lenovo.

Prototypes of the upcoming Daydream-compatible headsets from HTC (left) and Lenovo (right). Images: Google.

The Daydream-compatible standalone headsets will utilize Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 VR platform and what Google is calling “WorldSense” technology, powered by its own Tango augmented reality system. On-board sensors in the headsets will enable inside-out tracking, which will remove the need to connect to any external hardware. Prices and release dates are to be determined.    

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Clay Bavor, vice president of virtual and augmented reality at Google, wrote an essay on Medium that explains WorldSense in more detail.

The Daydream VR platform was introduced at last year’s I/O conference and already there are more than 150 VR apps in the Google Play Store. Google has been working on its standalone VR headset for more than a year.

To learn more about how WorldSense works, watch the video below.

About the Author

Sri Ravipati is Web producer for THE Journal and Campus Technology. She can be reached at [email protected].

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