Phandroid
Google gives developers a low-cost VR headset made out of #cardboard [VIDEO]
It was back in 2009, a fella from Recombu constructed a makeshift VR headset for the MyTouch 3G using only tape and scissors. While many were quick to scoff at the idea, it appears it was our own Rob Jackson who had the foresight in seeing how this could one day change the way we use our Android devices. Fast forward to today’s Google I/O developer conference and wouldn’t you know it — the dude was right.
Android lead Sundar Pichai announced onstage that — in addition to the LG G Watch, Samsung Gear Live, and Motorola Moto 360 — attendees would be receiving a cardboard box capable of transforming an Android device into a full fledged VR headset.
After folding the box together, a phone slips into the provided slot and when using the companion app, the eye holes create a sort of virtual reality environment, not unlike Recombu’s from 5 years ago. Check out our very quick unboxing below.
Apparently Cardboard was created as part of Google’s own “20 Percent” project that allows employees to devote 20% of their time on a side-project. Because VR headsets are all the rage these days — and quite expensive — Google came up with this low-cost alternative.
Given this is a developer conference, Google encourages developers to come up with their own VR apps using their experimental SDK, posting their experiences online using the #cardboard hashtag. You can also join up with the Google+ community here. The best part? You can create your very own headset out of a pizza box (order a large) thanks to Google’s step-by-step instructions on their landing page here.
And we all laughed at this guy…
Google Fit gets formally announced at I/O
We were expecting so hear about Google Fit today, and Google did not disappoint. They waited until about two and a half hours into the keynote to do it, but they did do it nonetheless. Google Fit is a platform to organize all of the health and fitness data from various trackers and sensors.
Google Fit is similar to Apple’s Healthkit for iOS. Apps are able to access a users fitness profile with data aggregated from all the fitness services they use. Think of it like Google+ sign in, but for fitness data. Google announced several big name partners that will be integrating Fit into their apps. Adidas, Nike, Runkeeper, Withings, and Basis are the main ones. The software kit for Google Fit will be available to developers in the coming weeks. Android just got a lot healthier.
How many of you use your Android device for tracking fitness and health data? Do you also use a fitness tracker, like a Fitbit, to go along with it? Are you excited about Google Fit?
Android for Work to bring KNOX-based security and improved device management for enterprise
Google sought to make enterprise users happy at their developers’ conference this morning by announcing Android for Work. The first part of it is comprised of security, with Google revealing Samsung to be a major player behind improving Android’s underlying security platform. Google says they’ve made many contributions, including everything they’ve been working on with KNOX in their own Galaxy smartphones and tablets.
Beyond that, some new device features have been revealed such as seamless integration of work and personal apps. No longer will you need two different phones, VPN and virtual machines, and more to access your work apps — they can live in harmony on the same device that you do your personal bidding with. It’ll be up to you to decide if you want to make business with pleasure, but it’s a nice choice for those who don’t fancy having to carry multiple devices around.
So when’s the new security platform coming? With Android L to start, whenever that is. Don’t fret, though, as Google says it will eventually be rolled out to all devices with Android 4.0 or higher.
0 comments:
Post a Comment