The Google I/O (short for ‘input/output’) is an annual conference where the company reveals and promotes their latest accomplishments. This year’s I/O is running from May 18th to 20th at the Shoreline Amphitheater, near the company’s headquarters in Mountain View, California. Over 7,000 people are expected to attend the conference, and many more viewers at home can watch the proceedings on Google’s live feed.
In the days leading up to the conference, there has been much speculation regarding Google’s work on a new virtual reality program. Today, those speculations have been confirmed. The program is called ‘Daydream’ and it is a significant improvement on the tentative foray Google made into virtual reality two years ago when they revealed their cardboard VR headset. The new headsets will be more durable and comfortable. The company also has plans for a VR controller that has a touchpad and sensors that can pick up on the user’s movements in order to carry out specific actions, somewhat like a rather advanced Wiimote. The controller can flip digital pancakes, just in case your specific virtual reality fantasies involve making pancakes.
Analysts are saying that virtual reality is an area currently ripe for growth, and Google’s renewed fervor in exploring this type of technology seems to confirm that.
