Google Rumored to be Developing a Next-Gen VR Headset that Doesn't Rely on a Smartphone in any Way
A couple of weeks ago we posted a detailed report titled "Apple's 'Secret' VR Team isn't that Secret Anymore," covering recent and long standing rumors and patents regarding a VR headset Apple is reportedly working on. Now a new rumor has surfaced that "Google is getting real about virtual reality. Alphabet Inc. is developing an all-in-one virtual-reality headset that doesn't rely on a smartphone, computer or game console, according to people familiar with the matter. That would be a first in the rapidly evolving field.
One of the people familiar with the matter said the headset will include a screen, high-powered processors and outward-facing cameras. Google plans to use chips from startup Movidius Inc. that use the cameras' feeds to track the motion of the user's head, the person said. Other high-end headsets, like the Oculus Rift, tap the computing power of connected PCs and use external cameras to track users' motion.
While it sounds interesting, it's really just radio static at this stage as one source told the Wall Street Journal that "it is early in development and Google could decide not to release it."
With Google Glass being such a gigantic failure, perhaps that team will now be given a new mandate to redefine and repurpose their ongoing work and standing Google Glass technologies into a next-gen VR headset.
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