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Google I/O 2017 is wrapped up and in the books, but there were some very interesting items that surfaced over the course of the week in Mountain View. One of those is a new feature in Daydream that could help VR get a bit more social.
In the upcoming Daydream 2.0 update, Google has added a few features that will greatly help the interactivity of VR when using its flagship headset.
Chromecast Enabled
First and foremost, you’ll soon be able to cast your VR experience to a nearby screen. Playing a game? Viewing an immersive 360-degree video? Instead of the oft-awkward Daydream View handoff, strap re-adjust, re-orientation mumbo jumbo, you can now just display what you are seeing on the big screen for everyone else to see.
While this has obvious differences when compared to the VR headset, it still allows more people to see what is going on inside the user’s experience.
The company I work for has prepared some 360-degree video with the GoPro Omni for a client and they are ready to use a Daydream View to show attendees at conferences. One request they had was sharing the content to a screen while they are letting people experience the VR session.
With this new feature, that request is easily granted.
Use cases like this and simpler, social settings are where Chromecast and Daydream will shine together.
Screenshots
Another way Google is allowing some enhanced sharing is via screen capture (both still and video) and social sharing tools. Found a killer spot to show off in a game or video? Now you’ll be able to capture a pic or video of the experience and share it right from Daydream.
As all this VR effort pushes forward, more intrinsic UI will be needed. The more you can do inside the headset without leaving the immersive experience, the better. It will keep people engaged longer and increase the level of interaction across the board.
You can check it out below, courtesy of Google Keynote.
