Google Plans Virtual-Reality Operating System Called Daydream

By Jack Nicas 

Alphabet Inc.'s Google outlined several initiatives around virtual-reality in a bid to compete with rivals like Facebook Inc. that have taken an early lead in the emerging technology.

Google on Wednesday said it plans to release an operating system for virtual reality called Daydream in the fall. The company also said it would offer a "reference design" that other manufacturers could use to make virtual-reality headsets that will use Daydream.

Google hopes Daydream will make it a central player in the evolution of virtual reality, which many in Silicon Valley believe will be an important arena for computing. Google said Daydream will also give developers of virtual-reality programs a common system on which to create games and experiences for a variety of headsets.

That mimics Google's approach with its Android mobile-operating system that powers the vast majority of the world's smartphones. As with Android, Google is instructing phone makers how to configure their devices to support Daydream. The approach will give Google control of an app store for virtual-reality apps.

Google is already a prolific maker of virtual-reality headsets, with its Cardboard offering that uses a smartphone as a screen and costs $20. Google has given out more than one million of the devices, including to most subscribers of the New York Times as part of a partnership with the paper. Google said Wednesday that virtual-reality apps had been downloaded more than 50 million times from its Play app store.

Google's push into virtual reality will intensify its competition with Facebook, which paid $2 billion for virtual-reality firm Oculus VR in 2014. Oculus in March began shipping its Rift headset, which starts at $1,500 with the needed computer, but shipments have been slowed by a parts shortage. Oculus also offers virtual-reality software, including an effective app store that is also available on Samsung's devices, which will compete directly against Google's new VR software.

HTC Corp. has partnered with gaming firm Valve Corp. to offer a high-end VR headset, and Sony Corp. is planning its own headset for its PlayStation game console later this year.

Google also said its model headset will offer higher-quality experiences than smartphone-based devices, reducing complaints of motion sickness.

Write to Jack Nicas at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 18, 2016 15:30 ET (19:30 GMT)

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