Google Takes on Virtual Reality: Developing VR Apps on Android Operating system

Virtual reality seems to be the next big thing in computing and Google is not sitting idle. Taking a big step in the competition it is facing against Facebook Inc that purchased Oculus VR for $2 billion, Google has aligned a whole team to create a range of virtual reality applications built on a version of Android operating system.

Google would distribute this operating system free of charge, like their Android that powers phones crossing the one billion figure. Even though their Android smart watches failed to take the industry by storm, Google's virtual reality is speculated to register high sales. Android now boasts four variable versions- in wearables, smartphones, vehicles and TV's.

Virtual reality swept the game Developers Conference held in San Francisco this month. Scores of people waited to watch Oculus' demo while others waited impatiently for Nvidia Corp's virtual product. Most of the leading companies joined the competition for virtuals including Sony that developed Project Morpheus. Samsung associated with Oculus for Gear VR headset and even Microsoft came up with their HoloLens, an image projector.

Facebook however triggered the competition by buying up Oculus that made a headset strapped over the eyes projecting virtual images. Oculus uses both hardware and software of its own creation, like Apple with softwares then built upon these systems

The virtual reality team will be headed by Clay Bavor, who worked to develop Google's low-tech virtual-reality viewer and Jeremy Doig. The Cardboard app itself registered what exceeded one million downloads in the gone by months. Google has already invested in several other virtual reality products such as tablets that 'augment reality' and eye-glasses that would project computer images to make virtual reality.

Google's investment, just last year was $542 million.