Google develops standalone VR headsets
New platform doesn't need to be powered by a smartphone or computer

Google has announced at its annual I/O conference that it will produce "standalone" virtual reality (VR) headsets that do not need to be operated by an external device.
The standalone platform has been co-developed with wireless technology firm Qualcomm, says Alphr. The partnership has already created a pair of prototype headsets allowing hardware manufacturers "to make their own models based on the technology".
As no external device, such as a smartphone or computer, is required to power the headsets, the website says that users won't have to worry about tripping over wires and "latency should be non-existent". This means there will be no pause between the user's movements and the image on the screen.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
While regular VR headsets rely on an array of onboard and exterior sensors to track user movements, ArsTechnica says that Google's standalone platform will use "World Sense" technology to offer better tracking compared to other VR headsets on the market.
There's no word on how "World Sense" functions, but the site says that all sensors used to track head movements will be located onboard the device.
The tech giant is "still experimenting with products and designs to see what will capture consumers' attention", says the Financial Times, while trying to avoid situations similar to the unsuccessful 3D television.
Standalone VR headsets are not a new phenomenon, adds the newspaper, as Intel and Oculus have "previously shown off their own prototypes".
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
But the paper says Google is the only manufacturer to have a device that will be available for consumers to buy.
While a release date for the device has yet to be announced, HTC and Lenovo are developing headsets using Google's standalone platform. These are expected to launch later this year.
Google I/O event runs until 19 May.
-
Does Reform have a Russia problem?
Talking Point Nigel Farage is ‘in bed with Putin’, claims Rachel Reeves, after party’s former leader in Wales pleaded guilty to taking bribes from the Kremlin
-
Five key questions about the Gaza peace deal
The Explainer Many ‘unresolved hurdles’ remain before Donald Trump’s 20-point plan can get the go-ahead
-
See the Northern Lights from these bucket list destinations
The Week Recommends The dazzling displays can be spotted across Iceland, Sweden and parts of Canada
-
Is the UK government getting too close to Big Tech?
Today’s Big Question US-UK tech pact, supported by Nvidia and OpenAI, is part of Silicon Valley drive to ‘lock in’ American AI with US allies
-
Google: A monopoly past its prime?
Feature Google’s antitrust case ends with a slap on the wrist as courts struggle to keep up with the tech industry’s rapid changes
-
South Korea's divide over allowing Google Maps
Talking Points The country is one of few modern democracies where the app doesn't work
-
Google avoids the worst in antitrust ruling
Speed Read A federal judge rejected the government's request to break up Google
-
Is AI killing the internet?
Talking Point AI-powered browsers and search engines are threatening the death of the open web
-
Unreal: A quantum leap in AI video
Feature Google's new Veo 3 is making it harder to distinguish between real videos and AI-generated ones
-
Google's new AI Mode feature hints at the next era of search
In the Spotlight The search giant is going all in on AI, much to the chagrin of the rest of the web
-
Is Apple breaking up with Google?
Today's Big Question Google is the default search engine in the Safari browser. The emergence of artificial intelligence could change that.