Google is trying to make the world of virtual reality (VR) using smartphones more fun and interactive. The key is the remote control.
The new VR headset "Daydream View" announced by the company will be sold for $ 79 (about 8400 yen) and comes with a dedicated remote control that fits in one hand. The remote control is equipped with operation buttons, a home button, a sensor that recognizes user movements, a volume button, and a touchpad function that can be used to scroll menus.
When I put on my headset and played a game called "Wonder Grade," the remote control could be used as a golf putter or fire hose in the game. Even when using Google's "Street View" app, I was able to use the remote control to move around in the landscape. The remote control also played an active part in the puzzle game "Mekorama", and it became a tool to give instructions to the robot that appears on the screen.
The idea of combining a VR headset and a remote control is very simple, but it has never been seen in mobile VR so far. Google's other VR headset, "Google Cardboard," also had one button, but it wasn't perfect because it was on the inside of the cheap body. Samsung Electronics' "Gear VR" has a touch panel on the side, but it is not easy to use and cannot be used intuitively. However, the Daydream View remote control was so comfortable that I didn't feel like using it for the first time.
As with competing products, the performance and image quality of Daydream View will vary depending on the smartphone used. At the moment, only Google's new smartphones "Pixel" and "Pixel XL" equipped with the basic software (OS) "Android" are supported. Both models have a much higher pixel density than Apple's iPhone, so you can see very smooth images. In the future, the main body and remote control of Daydream View will be available for products such as Samsung, Huawei (Huawei Technology), and LG Electronics.
It ’s not as good as an expensive VR headset,
Daydream View is soft because it is made of plastic and cloth. It's also lighter than Samsung Gear VR and feels good to wear. The part that actually touches the face can be removed, so it can be washed. When not using the remote control, it was designed to be stored in the main unit, and I felt it was very convenient.
Daydream View costs only $ 80 and is easy to carry. The main body is not connected to the cable, so you don't have to worry about it while using it.
However, no matter how great the remote control is, it is clear that it is different from the expensive VR headset used by connecting to a personal computer or the like. Daydream View is far from the sophistication of Taiwan's HTC Vive ($ 799) and Sony's PlayStation VR (PSVR) ($ 400).
Another drawback is that when you play apps and games in Daydream View, the battery drains quite quickly. It feels good to wear, but when I'm enjoying a game that requires movement, the main unit may slip off my head. Gear VR can be secured to the head with a removable elastic strap, but Daydream View doesn't.
Google says it will launch about 50 apps and games available in Daydream View by the end of the year, which can be operated using a remote control. Not bad for a new VR headset, but a bit lonely given Samsung's Gear VR with over 150 apps and games. Furthermore, it's a pity that Daydream View isn't compatible with the iPhone.
But despite these shortcomings, Daydream View is currently the best mobile VR headset.
