Google's Daydream View isn't the VR future we were hoping for

After months of anticipation for Google's virtual reality headset, we finally got a look at the company's most serious venture into VR hardware and it was...underwhelming. 

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Called Daydream View, the device looks almost exactly like the so-called reference designs the company showed off back in May at its I/O developer conference. Except there's one major difference: The entire device is wrapped in soft fabric. 

Yes, really. 

Image: google

Although it's important to note that I haven't had a chance to touch the new VR device, after several years of experience with the Samsung Gear VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, I can safely say that soft fabric isn't the killer feature missing from VR headsets.

Presented in a material that looks like gray sweatpants, View appears to be designed around the idea of making wearing VR headsets a lot more comfortable to wear. Yeah, but…VR headsets are "wearable tech" in name only. 

In practice, VR headsets are less like a smartwatch or wrist tracker (which need to be comfy to wear for long periods of time) and more like an accessory that needs to be both ergonomically well designed for comfort and sturdy for extended use — like, for example, a computer mouse. 

Image: mashable, Jason Henry

In that light, the addition of fabric to a VR headset comes off as a well-meaning, albeit ultimately impractical design choice. 

According to Mashable reporter Karissa Bell who attended Google's event, the feel of the fabric varies between jersey knit material and felt. But a Google team member claims that the fabrics are designed in a way that won't readily show stains. Nevertheless, unless you have ability to remove the fabric, stains (sweat, food, etc.) during extended use of the device seem inevitable. 

To its credit, Google did give the device a large removable face cushion that hand-washable, so at least that component won't be destined to build up gunk from everyday use. 

Image: google

Another great design choice was the elastic band on its visor that holds the smartphone in place. Because it's elastic, the size of any Daydream-ready smartphone inserted into the cradle can vary widely. 

Image: google

But despite these touches, in general, Daydream View gives the impression of a reference design meets proof-of-concept exercise rather than an aggressive move into the future of VR. That's odd, since, on the software side, Google has delivered cutting-edge experiences like Tilt Brush and Google Arts & Culture, which takes you into museums and historic sites around the world via VR. 

Image: Mashable, Jason Henry 

The fresh approaches to VR embodied by those projects aren't shared by Daydream View, whose only major features above the Samsung Gear VR are its wireless controller and a price point that's about $20 cheaper. Yes, the controller as a VR wand, stick, gun, etc. is a solid step ahead of the Gear VR. But really, it feels more like half a step. 

Again, to be fair, I haven't had time to live with the Daydream View like I have with the Samsung Gear VR. So I'll hold out hope that there may be more to this product than meets the eye. 

But as it stands, after years of wishing for something more substantial from Google than Cardboard VR viewers, Daydream View is a bit of a disappointment.