It is no doubt that Virtual Reality or VR is shaping up to be one of the most lucrative markets of the present as top tech companies are vying to get the biggest piece of the action. Google is among those that have a strong foothold of the platform and rumors claim that the search giant is planning to expand its VR project by incorporating it into its Android operating system.
Google already has it Google Cardboard project which essentially transforms any Android-running smartphone into a virtual reality device. However, Google is pushing the boundaries even further by completely integrating virtual reality into the code of its Android operating system.
If these reports are true, Android users will no longer need to download the Google Cardboard app since it will be integrated by default into the Android operating system.
According to Financial Times, Google is ramping up its virtual reality division and it is currently hiring new staff members. Aside from integrating virtual reality into the Android platform, Google is also planning to build its own virtual reality headset that could rival those of its competitors like Facebook's Oculus Rift.
Reports claim that Google's main goal is to bring virtual reality to as many people as possible.
In an interview with Time, Google head of virtual reality division Clay Bavor saidm "VR is too important and too powerful a medium to be accessible to only a few."
When asked whether Google is planning to work on higher-end virtual reality devices, Bavor did not exactly confirmed it but hinted about Google's focus in developing Cardboard.
Regarding Google's virtual reality headset, rumors had it that it will most likely be similar to the Samsung Gear VR in terms of build quality. On the other hand, Google's virtual reality headset will support all smartphones that run on the Android platform unlike the Samsung Gear VR which only supports flagship Samsung devices.
Regarding its launch, tech analysts are expecting Google to unveil the project on its annual Google I/O event which is scheduled every March. Should Google keep up with its usual timeline, the next Google Nexus device will most probably have built-in support for virtual reality.