Google Axes Daydream VR Headset

Google has called time on its Daydream virtual reality (VR) platform, after executives reportedly confirmed that the new Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL does not support the VR platform.

According to VentureBeat, Google has also stopped selling the Daydream View headset today.

In 2016 Google had opened up its Daydream virtual reality (VR) reference platform for Android developers, giving them access to a platform on which to create VR mobile apps.

End of the road

The death knell for Daydream VR came when Google confirmed that unlike previous Pixel smartphones, the Pixel 4 would not support the virtual reality platform, and there were no plans to support Daydream in future Android devices.

It should be noted that the more budget-focused Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones that were launched in April, also shipped with no support for Daydream VR.

“We are no longer certifying new devices,” a Google spokesperson was quoted by VentureBeat as saying.

However it seems that the Daydream app and store will continue to function for now.

The move is not surprising, as VR on mobile devices reportedly wanes and focus shifts towards purpose built VR headsets.

Google is not afraid of shutting down projects it no longer feels have a future.

A good example was the cancellation of the Google Glass project in 2015, although that project limped on for a year or so under the guise of “Project Aura”.

Quiz: What do you know about Google?

Tom Jowitt

Tom Jowitt is a leading British tech freelancer and long standing contributor to Silicon UK. He is also a bit of a Lord of the Rings nut...

Recent Posts

Intel Adds Two Chip Veterans To Board, Amid Search For New CEO

Two chip veterans named for Intel's board of directors, amid reports of expertise gap after…

23 hours ago

Waymo To Expand Ride-Hailing Service To Miami

Another major city in the United States is to receive Alphabet's Waymo ride-hailing service, with…

1 day ago

Meta To Spend $10 Billion On Largest Data Centre To Date

Facebook parent confirms its 23rd data centre in the US will be located in Louisiana,…

2 days ago

Musk’s Neuralink Animal Lab Cited For ‘Objectionable Conditions’

Federal regulator reportedly cites animal lab at Elon Musk's Neuralink for “objectionable conditions or practices”

2 days ago

Trump Nominates Cryptocurrency Advocate Paul Atkins As SEC Chair

President-elect Donald Trump nominates a new chairman to head the SEC, who is a noted…

2 days ago