Virtual Reality, otherwise VR, is not exactly something new. However, it seems that VR could be the next big thing for the game industry as a number of companies have announced new VR headsets expected to launch in 2016. Now a recent vacancy list has highlighted that Google is planning to launch its own full-fledged VR headset.
Sony, Oculus and Valve are a triumvirate of companies that have been developing VR hardware. Sony and Oculus have already unveiled their VR headsets, and Valve has partnered with HTC to develop the HTC Vive. The Oculus Rift headset is already available for pre-order-order, and is scheduled for a March launch. Sony will be launching the PlayStation VR in either Q1 or Q2 of 2016.
Now it seems Google might have hatched some plans to develop a VR headset that would go head-to-head with the others mentioned. A VR vacancy listing for Hardware Engineering Technical Lead Manager has highlighted that this might be the case.
The listing states, “Our consumer hardware team is working on revolutionizing how people interact with their hardware, and looking for engineers to make that a reality. We want to open new ways to interact with devices and create a natural, seamless interface the world’s information.”
Ok, it doesn’t specifically include Virtual Reality in the listing as Google seems to have replaced that with ‘consumer hardware.’ It’s also worth noting that Vine’s former general manager left that company to join Google and develop virtual reality. Furthermore, Google’s former vice president for product management also became the company’s VR vice president.
Google has, in a way, already developed its own VR headset, albeit it was a cardboard one. The Google Cardboard VR headset was one that combined with Android phones. With a phone placed at the back, the headset provides a 3D image with a wider field of view.
So the virtual reality isn’t something entirely new to Google, and the latest listing, along with other hints, suggests the company is planning a much bigger VR device than Google Cardboard. Whatever that VR device is, it will go head-to-head with the Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR.
