After months of anticipation for Google's virtual reality headset, we finally got a look at the company's most serious venture into VR hardware and it was...underwhelming.。 Called Daydream View, the device looks almost exactly like the so-called reference designs the company showed off back in May at its I/O developer conference. Except there's one major difference: The entire device is wrapped in soft fabric.。 Yes, really.。 Credit: google。 Although it's important to note that I haven't had a chance to touch the new VR device, after several years of experience with the Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, I can safely say that soft fabric isn't the killer feature missing from VR headsets.
。 Presented in a material that looks like gray sweatpants, View appears to be designed around the idea of making wearing VR headsets a lot more comfortable to wear. Yeah, but…VR headsets are "wearable tech" in name only.。 Thanks for signing up!。 The slot in the Daydream View shaped to store its VR controller.Credit: mashable, Jason Henry
。 In that light, the addition of fabric to a VR headset comes off as a well-meaning, albeit ultimately impractical design choice.
。According to。 Mashable
。 To its credit, Google did give the device a large removable face cushion that hand-washable, so at least that component won't be destined to build up gunk from everyday use. 。 Another great design choice was the elastic band on its visor that holds the smartphone in place. Because it's elastic, the size of any Daydream-ready smartphone inserted into the cradle can vary widely.。 But despite these touches, in general, Daydream View gives the impression of a reference design meets proof-of-concept exercise rather than an aggressive move into the future of VR. That's odd, since, on the software side, Google has delivered cutting-edge experiences like Tilt Brush and Google Arts & Culture, which takes you into museums and historic sites around the world via VR.。 Credit: Mashable, Jason Henry 。The fresh approaches to VR embodied by those projects aren't shared by Daydream View, whose only major features above the Samsung Gear VR are its wireless controller and a price point that's about $20 cheaper. Yes, the controller as a VR wand, stick, gun, etc. is a solid step ahead of the Gear VR. But really, it feels more like。 half
。 half
。 a step.。