This month, during the 2016 Google I/O conference, Google launched the immersive Virtual Reality (VR) experience with Daydream, which will be available late this year. Nevertheless, considering the high advanced features of the futuristic technology, current smartphones might not support the VR platform.
Clay Bavor, Google’s VR manager, current smartphones already available on the market are “unlikely” set to support the VR platform. Bavor advised those who would like to experience Daydream “to hold off for a few months,” when new compatible smartphones with the VR app will be released.
VR technology requires high internal standards to be supported and current smartphones on the market, for example, the Galaxy S7 or HTC 10, do not have what’s needed.
Regarding the compatibility of smartphones with VR technology, Bavor statements are linked to user’s VR experience. If someone gets into a VR platform with inappropriate devices and accessories, the technology might produce an aversion reaction in users or even disappointment about the long-awaited innovation. That is the reason why the company is calling for people to wait for a few more months to get the new VR-suitable phones.
Google intends to release the high-quality virtual reality app with accessories to improve the experience. Such is the case of headsets, handsets and of course, a Daydream-suitable smartphone. Likewise, the company has announced some partners (ZTE, Samsung, LG, HTC, among others) who have already a Daydream-ready phone on the market.
Daydream device components
For having an appropriate virtual reality experience, Daydream devices should have a few components. VR-phone technological features were also announced by Google. Firstly, the device must count with low-persistence displays, uncountable low latency, and high-quality sensors. Also, they must include a high-performance system on a chip (which lets the integration of all components of a computer or any other electronic device into a single chip).
Secondly, the phone needs to operate the recently Android N software, the new Google’s operating system, also presented on Google I/O’s conference. These are just some of the required components for a device to be compatible with Daydream platform. However, it is uncertain about the whole needed features for upcoming phones, or if the current Android devices have what it takes to enable the VR technology. Even if, Nexus 6P has been proposed as a flagship device to develop Daydream app, Bavor did not guarantee the compatibility of this phone with the final version of Daydream.
Thereby, Google will work in the next months on what will be a Daydream-ready phone. The virtual reality app will be presented late this year, and the company hopes to get ready the VR supportable phone. Important details regarding the high-quality displays and motion tracking must be included in the new device features to allow consumers an adequate immersion in the fictional “real” world that this platform aims to project.
ZTE Axon 7: a Daydream-ready phone
As part of the latest Google’s announcement regarding VR technology, the company has announced some partners with already available Daydream-phones. Indeed, ZTE has released its Daydream-phone this week. The smartphone was launched in China, and it received wonderful reviews from consumers.
The phone is one of the first Google Daydream-ready devices to enjoy the upcoming VR experience. The ZTE Axon 7 features include Qualcomm’s highest-end processor, a quad HD AMOLED display, 20 MP f/1.8 rear camera with optical image stabilization, its battery has a quick charge option, and a storage of 4GB RAM and 68 GB. Also, the phone will run the Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
One of the most important aspects of the release of the Axon 7, three days ago, was its compatibility with the VR technology. Google’s Daydream app will be ready this year, and ZTE launched a phone suitable for this innovation. Hence, alongside the remarkable specs and practical design of the phone, ZTE announced the VR headset to pair with the phone. Thanks to the Quad HD AMOLED display of the phone, it becomes one of the very first devices to support the new Google’s VR platform.
This phone has been cataloged as the chicest and powerful phone the Chinese company has presented so far. The former version of this device is the Axon Pro, which did not make the grade, mainly due to the low duration of its battery, compared to this high-end phone.
On the next few weeks, the ZTE Axon 7 will be available in China, and then, it will arrive in the U.S. One of the main features of this phone is that it might be placed at the top of the list of best phones of the year. The great news is that it can also be purchased at a friendly price. According to the company, the initial price of the phone in the United States will be $499.
Source: Droid Life