Users of the Google Daydream will now be able to view any website they like in virtual reality (VR), regardless of if it has any specific VR content. This is thanks to the latest Google Chrome update, and WebVR.
WebVR is an open VR standard developed by a group of engineers for the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), featuring experts from many VR stakeholder companies such as Google, Apple, Mozilla and others. Google added WebVR support to Google Chrome earlier this year, but the new update allows for a more seamless experience, as users no longer need to find specific VR content, they can simply load a webpage, slip their mobile device into the Daydream headset and browse.
Google’s François Beaufort said: “So far this allows users to view and interact with any website in VR, follow links between pages, and move between 2D and immersive viewing for sites that support WebVR.”
Users will need to ensure they update Google Chrome to version 61 before attempting to use this particular function. Mozilla Firefox also recently introduced support for WebVR, so analysts are expecting that this free VR browsing will come to that browser soon. Apple has also shown some interest in WebVR, with three Apple engineers joining the WebVR community group earlier this year, leading to speculation that Safari would also be adding WebVR functionality at some point in the future.
For those looking for web-based content to try, the BBC have also begun using the WebVR standard to showcase some VR and 360-degree videos, with experiences such as the opportunity to explore the Edinburgh festivals available with the WebVR standard.
VRFocus will bring you further news on WebVR as it becomes available.