It’s no secret that Google is interested in virtual reality. Made out of paper, Google Cardboard is Google’s first foray into VR, but the Search giant apparently plans to release a more advanced product later this year, a “Nexus” of VR headsets, which might be running on its rumored VR-centric Android VR initiative.
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The news comes from The Financial Times, which has learned that Google might be working on a product that’s similar to Samsung’s Gear VR headset. The device would be made of plastic, and will support more smartphones than Samsung’s solution.
The “Nexus-style” product would pack “better sensors” and “lenses,” though the smartphone will deliver “most of its processing power.” Comparatively, the Google Cardboard is made of paper (see a Star Wars version of it above) and uses plastic lenses to deliver VR content from a smartphone.
The device could be unveiled at Google I/O later this year, likely alongside a specialized version of Android – Android VR – that would bring virtual reality powers to Android, and with it, support to third-party apps. Developers would be able to add VR features to their apps, if they so desire. Comparatively, Google Cardboard’s VR uses a specialized app to deliver VR content.
Finally, let’s also not forget that Google has plans for VR content creation as well – the Jump project it unveiled last year at the same event.
