As Verizon's GS8 gets its Daydream VR update, Google CEO Sundar Pichai says a total of 11 Daydream phones will be available by the end of 2017.
It was promised back at Google I/O, and now the Samsung Galaxy S8 has started receiving firmware updates to enable Google's Daydream VR platform. As spotted by 9to5Google, the update is hitting Verizon models first in the U.S., and also brings the option to hide the navigation bar — a feature which arrived on international and Indian GS8s in June.
GS8 owners should be able to enjoy a great VR experience with Daydream, thanks to its low-latency, high pixel density (especially on the smaller model) and subpixel rendering. The rollout is likely to be staggered across various carriers and regions though, so it could be a few more weeks until all Galaxy S8 variants are updated.
Meanwhile Google CEO (and new Alphabet board member) Sundar Pichai noted in yesterday's Alphabet earnings call that there would be 11 Android phones with Daydream support on the market by the end of 2017.
It's hard to pin down precisely how many unannounced Daydream phones are on the way.
It's hard to work out exactly how many unannounced Daydream phones are on the way without knowing whether the figure of 11 considers dual-size phones like the Pixel and Pixel XL, or Galaxy S8 and S8+ to be separate devices. Nevertheless, future Daydream candidates include the LG V30 (already teased at Google I/O), Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Google's second-gen Pixels and perhaps a future Mate phone from Huawei.
That's in addition to the standalone Daydream headsets being developed by HTC and Lenovo.
Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+
Google Daydream
Reader comments
Galaxy S8 Daydream rollout begins as Google promises support on 11 phones by end of year
Please don't pretend that the Galaxy S8(+) on Verizon has Daydream now - do any research at all to realize that it doesn't work still (as I've heard it's the same for T-Mobile's that "rolled out" a while ago). Samsung, Verizon, and Google need to be put on blast that it doesn't work until it actually does. Headlines like this are deceitful.
Did you read the article at all? Nowhere in the article state it works with Verizon, T-Mobie, or any other carrier on the S8 Series. Up to now, it has not worked on the S8 or S8+. Verizon is rolling out the update currently to enable Daydream for the S8 series - I know, because I just installed it on my S8+. None of the other carriers have released the update yet.
If you have read that it doesn't work AFTER the update that started rolling out, please likn sources. Otherwise, please read and comphrehend the FULL article.
Sorry but T-Mobile released this update on July 18th and for the public who don't understand Daydream will not be able to function without the Android 7.1 update.
Probably should include the Moto z Force 2, or whatever it's called to that list.
Now if only I could get Day Dream to work on one of the 3 Gear VR's Samsung gifted me.
"also brings the option to hide the navigation bar — a feature which arrived on international and Indian GS8s in June." The GS8+ i just got from the BoGo on their site last month has this button... It's TMobile. Is that because I bought it outright?
Still waiting on my unlocked S8 on T-Mobile. :(
I call b.s. The T-Mobile S8/S8+ got this update on July 18th and for the majority who still don't understand Daydream will not be totally functional WITHOUT THE ANDROID 7.1 UPDATE.