Oliver Haslam on May 12, 2016, 6:06 am

Android VR Headset Set For Google I/O 2016 Reveal, Will Be “Better Than Gear VR”

Google is rumored to have an Android VR headset ready to be announced at its upcoming developer conference known as Google I/O, with the device claimed to be a better choice than the Samsung’s Gear VR.

That claim comes from Peter Rojas, the man who is behind a number of popular Internet tech-properties and is generally exceptionally well-connected within the industry. If he feels the need to take to Twitter to out something Google may or may not have in the works, then there’s a good chance that he’s right.

Cardboard iPhone

Rojas also noted that the unannounced Android VR is still a standalone device that requires a compatible smartphone in order to function, and as a result of that, it’s never really going to be able to compete with more expensive counterparts such as the Facebook-owned Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive when it comes to power.

Here’s exactly what he had to say about Android VR headset:

Talks of a Google-made Gear VR competitor aren’t anything new after rumors first circulated back in February. Entries pertaining to the Android VR kit have been found in the latest Unreal Engine Preview, for example, and Google has been bullish on virtual reality for some time, indeed. Whether that can be morphed into a device or accessory that people will buy in droves, though, we will have to wait and see.

The sure good news here, though, is that this year’s Google I/O gets underway between May 18th and 20th, which at least means that we won’t be wondering about this latest rumor for all that long. If Google does indeed announce the Android VR, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it give a free device to everyone in attendance at the opening keynote of the event. This is Google, after all, and it loves nothing more than to give free stuff away to people, except maybe making money and ruling the world.

(Source: @peterrojas [Twitter])