Posted Wed May 18, 2016 at 12:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
New Google tech and products have been revealed.
During Google's I/O developer conference held this morning in Mountain View, CA, the company unveiled Daydream, a new platform for high quality Android virtual reality. In addition, Google also announced a new smart speaker dubbed Home.
Daydream is an Android based virtual reality platform that covers both hardware and software, enabling Google and other manufacturers to create Daydream-optimized smartphones, headsets, and controllers. To this end, Google will be releasing its own Daydream headset and motion controller in the fall. To further enhance users' VR experiences, the company is also readying VR-enabled versions of many of its apps, including Google Photos, Google Street View, Google Play Movies, and YouTube. Likewise, additional partners like HBO, Netflix, Hulu, IMAX, CNN, Ubisoft, and Electronic Arts are also on board to bring apps and games to the Daydream VR platform. Finally, though exact models have not been detailed, Daydream-enabled smartphones are currently in development from Samsung, HTC, LG, Huawei, Alcatel, ZTE, Xiaomi and Asus.
Beyond its new virtual reality platform, Google also revealed a new voice-activated smart speaker, dubbed "Home." Using the new Google Assistant experience, Home lets customers ask questions, enjoy entertainment, stream music, and manage everyday tasks through conversational speech commands. Though an exact release date and price have not been detailed, Home will be available in customizable bases with different colors and materials later this year.
More details on Google Daydream and Home are expected to be revealed in the coming months. Outside of Google, Samsung currently offers its own mobile Gear VR Headset. Likewise, Amazon has its own Echo smart speaker on the market using its Alexa voice-activated platform.
Sources: Google, CNET, Variety
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