Virtual reality: WebVR support for Google on Android

A junction is created between Google's Daydream virtual reality platform and the Chrome Web browser with WebVR support.


Google wants to facilitate virtual reality usage. To this end, its web browser Chrome assumes the role of vector of democratization.

"Experiment with virtual reality on the web with Chrome," explains the Mountain View firm in a blog contribution.

The underlying technology is called WebVR and consists of a JavaScript API. WebVR makes "as easy to access inside Air Force One as your favorite web page," says Megan Lindsay, product manager on the Google Chrome team.

Google had integrated WebVR support into a beta version of Chrome for Android from last year.

To benefit from it, just download the latest iteration of Google's mobile browser and use a Daydream-compatible headset and smartphone. For now, only three mobile devices support the latter with Google's pixels, ZTE's Axon 7 and the Moto Z range from Motorola.

This allows programmers to create websites that present 3D universes dedicated to RV. We can talk about marriage between the RV and the Web. In particular, they can use Draco, an open source Google tool dedicated to 3D compression.

Several experiments already allow to try the technology with a helmet and a smartphone "Daydream-ready". There is something for everyone, for example "Bear 71", an interactive documentary on nature.

Google also plans to support WebVR by grinding Chrome desktop for use with other virtual reality headsets such as Oculus Rift or HTC Vive. The firm also specifies that in the next, it will extend the support to more headsets, "Google Cardboard included". This should then give a boost to the VR uses.

It should be noted that there are other initiatives in this area. Oculus (Facebook) has launched its own WebVR compatible browser with Camel, which is intended for use with its Oculus Rift headset.

As for the Mozilla Foundation, a "nightly" version of Firefox also supports WebVR. Microsoft is also working on its Edge web browser, in conjunction with the HoloLens headset.