Skip to main content

Google aims to improve Daydream content with new Elements virtual reality app

google daydream elements news
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Google Daydream is set to get some pretty significant upgrades later this year, but before those major updates launch, Google will keep releasing Daydream-related software. Most recently, the company launched “Google Daydream Elements,” a collection of tech-related demos that show the best practices for building VR content.

“Performance is critical to VR apps but can be especially challenging on mobile graphics processing units (GPUs). Many commonly available mobile shaders and per-pixel lighting solutions provide high-quality results but perform poorly on mobile VR systems due to extremely high resolutions, rendering multiple views, distortion, and general mobile performance issues,” said Google in a blog post.

Daydream Elements currently covers three core principles to building quality VR content. Those include “Locomotion,” “Menus and virtual controls,” and “Rendering and lighting.”

Although the demos are largely geared towars developers, they’re actually pretty interesting to take a look at even if you’re not a developer. Any user with a Daydream-enabled phone, like the Google Pixel, Moto Z, and Huawei Mate 9 Pro, can download the apps and explore. In one scene, called “teleport,” you’ll see a floating rock. You can then pinpoint any spot in space, and you’ll see an arcing line that will connect you to that spot. You can then teleport to it and see a new floating rock.

Daydream itself is Google’s first major attempt at virtual reality, and there are quite a few great apps and games available for the service. Notably, there’s a Daydream version of Need For Speed, along with Daydream versions of apps like YouTube and Netflix. Apps are getting better and better, too. While Daydream apps were once pretty gimmicky, there are now some very immersive ones.

If you want to explore Google Daydream Elements for yourself, you can check it out at the Google Play Store. As mentioned, you will have to own a Daydream-ready phone.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
All the new Chromebook features quietly announced at Google I/O
A beta showing off Google's plans for Android and Chromebook app streaming.

At the annual Google I/O developer conference, Google announced several new features coming to Chrome OS later this year. The majority are designed to bring Android phones and Chromebooks closer together with cross-device synergies like communication and app streaming.

As discussed in a 23-minute-long breakout session video, one of the top talked-about features coming to Chrome OS soon is Camera Roll. With this one, you can open and share recent photos from your Android phone on your Chromebook. It will be coming "later this year" and will live in the Chrome OS Phone Hub. From there, you can simply drag and drop the listed photos as needed.

Read more
Google Wallet is back and it has some new tricks
A man stands on stage in front of a Google Wallet graphic.

If you've ever left your wallet at home, chances are you didn't know you forgot it until you started paying for your groceries or got pulled over by the police for speeding. The problems that come with forgetting your wallet will soon become a thing of the past thanks to the new Google Wallet for Android 13, not to be confused with the Google Wallet from the past.

Introduced at Google I/O 2022 on Wednesday, Google Wallet resembles Apple Wallet in that it allows users to carry their credit or debit card. This way, if you ever forget any of the physical payment cards at home, you can pull your Android device out and tap to pay for your groceries and other items at any retailer that accepts Google Pay.

Read more
Google Play improves privacy, payments, and subscriptions 
Person holding Samsung Galaxy smartphone showing Google Play Store.

Google is introducing several new features that will help game and app developers to engage and grow their audience while further improving privacy and security.

At this year’s Google I/O conference, the Google Play team is focusing on new initiatives to create an even safer app ecosystem for users and developers alike while also adding new tools for developers. These include new custom store listing options, increased flexibility in pricing models for in-app subscriptions, and more. The Google Play team outlined these new initiatives during its What’s New in Google Play session at Google I/O 2022.

Read more