Google had a high-end, standalone virtual reality headset in the works that was recently ditched in favour of the Android-centric ‘Daydream’ VR platform, a new report suggests.

It seem that persistent rumours of a standalone, Google VR headset may not have been so far from the truth after all. Recode reports that sources close to the company state that, alongside the development of the Android based Daydream mobile VR platform, another project inside Google’s X research lab was aiming to produce a high end, standalone VR headset.

Intriguingly, Recode also reports that the new headset would be built on top of a new, dedicated operating system, which seems an altogether bizarre move for a company that’s spent years building it’s Android OS into a globally mobile platform.

See Also: Google Announce ‘Daydream’ a VR Platform for Android N
See Also: Google Announce ‘Daydream’ a VR Platform for Android N

There are few other details, other than to note that it’s not unusual for Google (or any other large company) to pursue R&D projects that are later nixed and it seems that in this case, Google decided focusing on bringing high performance virtual reality to it’s mobile platform via Daydream was the smarter move. We’re inclined to agree too.

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Paul James
Based in the UK, Paul has been immersed in interactive entertainment for the best part of 27 years and has followed advances in gaming with a passionate fervour. His obsession with graphical fidelity over the years has had him branded a ‘graphics whore’ (which he views as the highest compliment) more than once and he holds a particular candle for the dream of the ultimate immersive gaming experience. Having followed and been disappointed by the original VR explosion of the 90s, he then founded RiftVR.com to follow the new and exciting prospect of the rebirth of VR in products like the Oculus Rift. Paul joined forces with Ben to help build the new Road to VR in preparation for what he sees as VR’s coming of age over the next few years.
  • Rodman1_r2

    You spelled “its” wrong, twice!

    • Gus Bisbal

      Why do you care more about the technique of spelling than what was being said. You understood what he wrote right or did you actually spend time trying to figure out what “it’s” mean instead of its

      • J.C.

        If you have to ask why, you won’t understand the answer either. Your two incredibly broken sentences are barely functional, so there’s very little doubt. Maybe you weren’t asking? You certainly don’t make that clear, as you have no grasp of punctuation.

        Don’t TELL me you’re a professional, PROVE it. If someone is trying to tell me they’re a professional writer, and doesn’t know when to use an apostrophe, then they’re not a professional writer. Same goes for a “car mechanic” who doesn’t know what an alternator looks like.

        • Gus Bisbal

          You know this is about VR right? Its not an English site. That was my point.

          • Paul Zirkle

            It’s also a professional publication that receives money for ads. While Rodman’s post may be a bit pedantic, he’s not wrong.

          • Gus Bisbal

            Maybe its not about being right and wrong and about paying attention to what the article is about. In case anyone missed it, its not about the inappropriate placement of apostasies.

  • Jon

    Hope they don’t commingle their Daydream with Cardboard’s total lack of QC…