Report: Google working on ‘all-in-one’ VR headset

Google Cardboard

Google is reportedly developing an “all-in-one virtual reality headset” that runs independent of a smartphone, games console or computer.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the new VR headset will include a screen, high-power chips from startup Movidius and outward-facing cameras that track the motion of the user’s head.

Citing people familiar with its plans, the paper said that Google will aim to provide a quality experience not tethered to a PC or console with the new headset.

It also claimed that Google plans to develop a “more advanced” version of tis low-cost Google Cardboard VR reader, which acts as a cradle for a smartphone. This new plastic viewer will include chips and censors, according to the WSJ.

The news follows a report earlier this month saying that Google-owned YouTube is planning to add support for 360-degree live-streamed video, in its latest push into the VR space.

It was also recently claimed that Apple has built prototype VR headsets in a bid to take on rival devices like Facebook’s Oculus Rift headset or Microsoft’s Hololens device.

In January, Google is understood to have set up a dedicated VR division and appointed company executive Clay Bavor to run the unit.