Virtual Reality (VR) is a computer technology that is used to create simulated digital environments. VR allows users to be immersed inside a digital experience, which has made the technology immensely popular in the movie and gaming industries. There are also promising signs that VR can prove useful in the fields of design, education, and healthcare. Among the many companies that have ventured into the virtual reality industry, Microsoft and Google seem to be the most likely companies to dominate in it.
Google’s introduction of the first Daydream headset marked the company’s entry into the virtual reality industry. The company’s original intention was to create VR experiences that would welcome fans, regardless of their familiarity with VR, thus potentially appealing to a broader audience. Since then, the company has experimented with numerous VR experiences, which have revolutionized the way users interact with the content and ensured a stable and diverse customer base.
Currently, Google is the leading search engine company, and there are signs that the company might emerge as one of the heavyweights in the virtual reality industry (“The 30 Best VR Companies”). Recently, the company released new models of VR headsets: Google Daydream View and Google Cardboard. Both headsets are specifically made to connect with most smart devices (including Android phones and tablets), and they can easily interact with different applications. Another VR product released by Google is the 360-degree trailer, which automatically leads viewers from a movie trailer to an immersive experience. Google shows no intentions of exiting the VR industry and is considering dropping or replacing some products with better alternatives (“AR & VR Home”). For example, there are reports that the company may stop updating the Daydream view software. Hence, one may safely assume that Google will continue improving and strengthening its positions in this field.
Microsoft is another company that has shown consistent interest in the VR industry. This company, unlike Google, has ventured into the Augmented Reality (AR) industry. The 2015 release of Windows Mixed Reality showed Microsoft’s intent to dominate both industries. Introduced as part of the Windows 10 package, the mixed reality platform provides both VR and AR experiences. Microsoft has released numerous third-party devices to support Windows Mixed Reality (“VR & Mixed Reality”). A brilliant example is Microsoft HoloLens, a headset device that supports both practical applications and gaming.
With HoloLens, users can interact with third dimension holograms while simultaneously engaging with digital content. While the HoloLens has many comparable features to Google’s VR devices (especially Google glass), it is not designed to move you to a virtual world completely. Instead, you can see digital elements and, at the same time, interact with their physical environment. An open media player on Windows Mixed Reality, for example, might be seen sitting on a chair.
Overall, HoloLens comes standard with more features than most Google VR devices. For instance, it has an inbuilt game controller, gyroscope, gesture control, and accelerometer. Google’s Cardboard is superior in terms of connectivity since it connects to both iOS and Android devices. Moving forward, Microsoft is considering upgrading the Windows Mixed Reality platform to transmit 3D models of the environment remotely. Such an upgrade is likely to tighten Microsoft’s grip on the VR industry since the technology would allow people to have face-to-face virtual communication regardless of their location.
Heading into a future where interest in VR experiences is likely to develop further, Google and Microsoft are perfectly poised to shape and dominate the industry. While sales for such devices as Windows Mixed Reality and DayDream view are still low, Google and Microsoft show intentions of slowing down their investment. The future of the VR industry is still unknown, but there is no doubt that Microsoft and Google will be part of it.
Works Cited
“AR & VR Home.” Google AR & VR, 2020. Web.
“VR & Mixed Reality.” Microsoft. Web.
“The 30 Best VR Companies in the World.”GameDesigning, 2020. Web.