Google has announced the extension of WebVR, a platform for virtual reality content running inside web browsers, to cover any Android device compatible with its low-cost Cardboard VR platform, along with a central repository of 'experiences' for people to try out.
Following Mozilla's experiments with browser-based VR content back in 2014, which resulted in the A-Frame WebVR framework, Google has been slowly adding WebVR support to its own Chrome browser. Its initial implementation, released back in February, was offered as a feature of Daydream, a high-quality virtual reality platform driven by the company's latest Android phones - a restriction which naturally excluded the vast majority of the smartphone market.
Its latest release, however, is more inclusive: Chrome on Android now supports WebVR content in both Daydream and its low-cost predecessor Google Cardboard. Using a Cardboard-compatible headset and almost any Android-powered smartphone, users can now run WebVR content within the Chrome browser.
To help showcase WebVR's capabilities, the advertising giant has also launched WebVR Experiments, a one-stop showcase of WebVR-powered 'experiences' which can be played in-browser. Those with a Daydream or Cardboard-compatible headset and smartphone will be able to play these in full 3D immediately; those without a headset can view them in 2D. Google's Jonas Jongejan has also promised support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets from the desktop release of Chrome 'soon,' though without committing to a timescale.
Google's WebVR Experiments are available on the official website now.
Following Mozilla's experiments with browser-based VR content back in 2014, which resulted in the A-Frame WebVR framework, Google has been slowly adding WebVR support to its own Chrome browser. Its initial implementation, released back in February, was offered as a feature of Daydream, a high-quality virtual reality platform driven by the company's latest Android phones - a restriction which naturally excluded the vast majority of the smartphone market.
Its latest release, however, is more inclusive: Chrome on Android now supports WebVR content in both Daydream and its low-cost predecessor Google Cardboard. Using a Cardboard-compatible headset and almost any Android-powered smartphone, users can now run WebVR content within the Chrome browser.
To help showcase WebVR's capabilities, the advertising giant has also launched WebVR Experiments, a one-stop showcase of WebVR-powered 'experiences' which can be played in-browser. Those with a Daydream or Cardboard-compatible headset and smartphone will be able to play these in full 3D immediately; those without a headset can view them in 2D. Google's Jonas Jongejan has also promised support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive headsets from the desktop release of Chrome 'soon,' though without committing to a timescale.
Google's WebVR Experiments are available on the official website now.
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