At Google's I/O 2017, the company has confirmed that its Daydream VR platform is going to support more devices in the foreseeable future.
Joining the lineup of compatible phones are the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus this summer and LG's next flagship, which is expected to roll out during the second half of 2017.
Galaxy S8, LG Phone To Get Daydream VR Support
This development arguably doesn't come as much of a surprise, and many users even managed to call it, not to mention a Galaxy S7 was spotted running Daydream VR back in November 2016.
Interestingly enough, while others predicted the outcome correctly, some didn't exactly get it right. For the record, the speculations were within reason, though.
At any rate, what this tells us is that Samsung has finally jumped on the Daydream bandwagon.
Meanwhile, it's still unclear what the first LG phone to support Daydream VR is, but it very well may be the V30. However, the company hasn't laid out any plans just yet, so no one can really say for sure at this point.
"In October, we launched Daydream View, a VR headset that's comfortable and easy to use. Today, there are lots of Daydream-ready phones available to choose from. And there are more coming-including the Galaxy S8 and [S8 Plus], which will be Daydream-ready with a software update this summer, and LG's next flagship phone, which will launch later this year," Google says.
Current Daydream VR Lineup
Just to be clear, other non-Pixel phones that support Daydream VR include Motorola's Moto Z and Moto Z Force, Huawei's Mate 9 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 9, and ZTE's Axon 7, which could be considered the affordable way to get in on the VR action at $400 a pop.
Another device in tow is the unreleased Asus ZenFone AR, aka the second Tango phone — second to the Lenovo Phab 2 Pro, to be exact. Just like the arrival of Daydream VR to the Galaxy S8, it's slated for a summer release too.
Standalone Daydream VR Headsets
The good news doesn't end with smartphones either, as Google has announced standalone Daydream VR headsets. HTC Vive and Lenovo are set to release some of the first devices.
"Daydream will soon also support a new category of VR devices, which we call standalone VR headsets ... The hardware is fully optimized for VR, and features a new headset tracking technology called WorldSense. WorldSense enables positional tracking, meaning the headset tracks your precise movements in space — and it does this all without any external sensors to install," Google says.
To sum things up, Google has a ton of plans in store for the virtual and augmented reality space, and when it comes to the platform for smartphones, it's going well beyond the Pixel.
With all said and done, are you itching to take Daydream VR for a spin on your Galaxy S8? If so, feel free to hit us up in the comments section below and let us know.
