Google Expands Daydream VR Access as Smartphone-Based Experiences Grow

One of the biggest hurdles holding virtual reality back from mainstream adoption is the high cost of dedicated hardware. For many consumers, the price of a full VR setup—like the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift—remains out of reach. That’s where smartphone-powered VR, like Google’s Daydream, comes in as a more accessible entry point.

During Alphabet’s recent earnings call, Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared plans to expand the Daydream platform, as reported by The Verge. By the end of the year, 11 Android smartphones will be Daydream-compatible, giving more users the opportunity to experience VR without breaking the bank.

Daydream has earned praise for delivering surprisingly immersive VR experiences through smartphone technology. While it doesn’t quite match the performance of high-end headsets, it strikes a solid balance of quality, comfort, and convenience.

To dive into Daydream, users just slide their compatible phone into the Daydream View headset, a lightweight $80 accessory. Similar to Samsung’s Gear VR, Daydream stands out by supporting a broader selection of devices, rather than locking users into one brand or model.

This expansion signals Google’s growing commitment to virtual reality. In addition to increasing device compatibility, the company teased a standalone Daydream headset at this year’s Google I/O, hinting at even bigger plans for the future of mobile VR.

While Pichai didn’t name specific phone models or manufacturers, the picture will become clearer as smartphone makers roll out their latest flagships through the end of 2017. All signs point to Google pushing hard to bring VR into the mainstream—one phone at a time.

“It doesn’t quite match the performance of headsets, but it strikes a solid balance of quality, comfort, and convenience”