As expected, Google unveiled some of its plans for VR at its I/O 2016 developers conference on Wednesday.

While the company defied some expectations that it would be showing off a standalone VR headset (it didn't) Google showed the audience in its keynote that the future of Android VR is on the way -- and it's very Android.

Google VR's "Android-y" Strategy

Instead of unveiling a piece of VR hardware designed by Google and produced by a partnering manufacturer (like the Nexus smartphones and tablets), Google showed off plans for a flexible hardware platform called Daydream.

It's designed to allow any Android smartphone manufacturer customize their devices' VR headsets within a set of parameters, while Android N will act similarly as a flexible software platform with a dedicated VR mode built in. As CNET noted, Daydream is running off the same playbook as Android.

The strategy to set a standard but allow manufacturers to customize the VR experience is how Google first approached the combination of its mobile operating system and hardware, epitomized by its "Together, not the Same" marketing campaign for Android.


It's also similar to Google Cardboard, which was the company's first run at a DIY hardware kit to make Android smartphones into VR viewers.

Daydream Standards

Unlike Google Cardboard, Daydream's hardware component is meant to be a more comfortable experience that straps to your head, a lot like Samsung's Gear VR, and runs VR through Android smartphones.

In addition, Google added a small remote controller, along with a set of spec requirements for the Android smartphones that will work in the Daydream system.

To make Daydream work, Google's VR program had to create a pretty strict list of requirements for manufacturers to qualify for Daydream.

First of all, aspiring Android OEMs can kiss their LCDs and IPS screens goodbye. In order to be a Daydream phone, Google is requiring AMOLED screens, which have a much faster pixel response time, to cut down on motion blur. However, as Ars Technica noted, unlike HTC's VIVE and the Oculus Rift, there is no requirement for 90Hz refresh rates, only 60Hz.

Daydream's hardware requirements come with tweaks to Android N as well, all aimed at removing the jarring delay effect that can sometimes happen when smartphone VR users move their heads and the picture's point of view doesn't keep up. The overall goal is to get that motion blur and delay, known as "motion-to-photon latency" down to a "sub-20" millisecond level.

Android N running VR through Daydream qualified phones -- including last year's Nexus 6P -- should achieve that, putting the quality around that of Samsung's Gear VR.

Android N's VR mode is already working with a slew of Google apps, including Google Photos, Google Map's Street View, Google Play Movies, and a new, improved YouTube app.

Just like Android's traditionally open software platform, third parties like Hulu, Netflix, HBO, and several game developers are all working with Google to create Daydream-ready apps.

On the hardware side, Google is working with the usual suspects like HTC, Samsung, LG, Huawei, along with ZTE, Xiaomi, and Asus.

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