Hands on with Daydream View, Google's first virtual reality headset
If you've spent any time in virtual reality then "cozy" is definitely not the first word that comes to mind. Google thinks its new Daydream View headset can change that.
The $79 headset is Google's first true virtual reality device and it's soft and fuzzy -- literally.
Instead of the plastic and foam of most headsets, Daydream is made out of soft cloth that feels more like felt or a blanket. It's difficult to overstate how much of a difference this makes. I've spent quite a bit of time with virtual reality headsets and I always walk away thinking how uncomfortable they are -- regardless of how good the content inside was.
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For Google, whose previous entry into the space was the cheap but not-at-all comfortable Cardboard, Daydream is a welcome departure from what we've come to expect from VR.
Of course, fabric does come with a few tradeoffs; mainly that it gets dirty, particularly the part that touches your face when you wear it. While Google representatives emphasized repeatedly that they didn't think staining would be a significant issue for most, the inside fabric panel is removable so you can wash it from time to time.
Setting up the viewer, which for now only works with Google's Pixel phones, is also far simpler than the Gear VR or even Cardboard. The phone slips into the front lid easily and the front panel attaches to the top of the headset with an elastic loop. The front panel can also come out a bit so larger phones and phones with cases can fit inside.
When you want to begin a VR session you don't need to connect your phone to the headset in any way unless you want to use headphones. Instead, Google has employed NFC to allow the phone to transition to VR. When you're not using the headset, the controller clips in for easy storage.
The controller itself is small and looks similar to a Roku remote. It has a touchpad on top (used for navigation), two menu buttons and volume controls. The remote is a bit different than other VR controllers in that you don't need to actually move your hand that much to use it. This could take some getting used to if you're accustomed to other controllers, but it worked pretty well in my initial demo.
I had some trouble during a demo of the upcoming Harry Potter-themed game based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (which was awesome, by the way) that required you to move the controller (a wand in VR) in specific patterns. But I suspect it would get a bit easier with more practice.
Though my demo with Daydream View was short, I came away impressed with the experience and not just because it's more comfortable than any VR demo I've ever done. Google has also managed to make a really good -- if basic -- virtual reality headset at an attractive price.
Of course, the one caveat to all this is that for now the only Daydream-compatible phones are Google's new Pixel devices. But most Android manufacturers have already committed to making Daydream-ready devices of their own, so expect to have a lot more options in the coming weeks and months.
Topics Gaming Google Virtual Reality Gadgets
Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.
