Leaked images show a new Google Daydream View headset priced at $99
Google is probably soon releasing an updated version of the Daydream View, its VR headset that is powered by a phone rather than a computer.
According to Droid Life, the new model looks to be made of a nylon-like fabric, better able to withstand sweat than the jersey-like material of its predecessor. The new version will also feature better color options: Charcoal, Fog, and Coral.
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The price, while miles behind that of VR giants like Oculus Rift, will still be $20 above that of the original model. This could indicate a more expensive fabric, but could also hint at an upgraded design.
For a while, the mobile-VR ball has been in Samsung's court. Gear VR led the market in 2016 despite a jump in Google's sales, and its wider view field, superior motion-sensing hardware, and substantially lower price have solidified its place as the superior model.
With a new design, Google has a chance to capitalize on the unique advantages it brings to the table--the portability, comfort, and versatility that Gear VR lacks (Gear is compatible only with Samsung phones), and pose a more formidable threat to its competitor if it steps up its hardware setup. But it needs to work on that price tag.
Topics Google Samsung Virtual Reality
Monica wrote for Mashable's Tech section with a focus on retail, internet of things, and the intersections of technology and social justice. She holds a degree in creative writing from Brown University, and has previously written for Dow Jones Media, the New York Post, Yahoo Finance, and others. In her free time, she can be found attempting to cook Asian food, buying board games, and looking for new hobbies.
