Access to virtual reality (VR) content is getting easier and easier, with multiple head-mounted displays (HMDs) now available and a wealth of apps and services now supporting the medium. Today Google has announced WebVR support on Chrome for use with Daydream View and Daydream-ready smartphones like Pixel or ZTE’s Axon 7.
This update will allow users to surf the web and when they find a VR experience they want to view, simply pop their device into the headset to enjoy the immersive experience. Even if they don’t have the headset they’ll be able to view and control it using their finger.
While there’s not masses of WebVR content available Google has highlighted some of the best to get users started. For those interested in architecture, celebrity homes, museums and more there’s Matterport. Award-winning content creator Within has a mixture of documentaries, short films and other 360-degree experiences. Or for user generated 3D models and scenes there’s Sketchfab. Utilising the Daydream remote for a range of gameplay option is the WebVR Lab from PlayCanvas. Or checkout the Bear 71 interactive documentary, produced by the National Film Board of Canada, which blurs the lines between the wild world and the wired one.
WebVR is set to be a big part of VR’s future, enabling views ways to explore content. Other companies working on WebVR applications include Oculus with its Carmel browser. Supporting both Rift and Gear VR, Oculus launched a developer preview for the mobile headset back in December, available as a Gallery app on the Oculus Store.
For all the latest WebVR and Daydream news, keep reading VRFocus.