Google hoping for 11 Daydream VR handsets by the end of 2017

Google's Daydream VR is yet to reach its full potential due to its lack of device support. But that may be about to change, in a few months at least. During yesterday’s Alphabet earnings call, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said there will be 11 Android smartphones on the market that support Google’s Daydream virtual reality platform.

As things stand today, there are only a few Daydream-compatible models to choose from: Google’s own Pixel handsets, Motorola’s Moto Z, Huawei’s Mate 9 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 9, ZTE’s Axon 7, and Asus’ Zenfone AR. Samsung's Galaxy S8 and S8+ are now in the process of becoming Daydream-enabled too, so that's already nine devices. Then we can safely presume there will be two more pixel handsets coming in this year. That makes it, number 11!

Daydream turns compatible smartphones into standalone VR systems: you just need one of Google’s Daydream View headsets to hold the device, together with the accompanying touch controller, and you’re away. The system is much lighter than higher-powered VR competitors such as HTC's Vive or the Oculus Rift, and it's also truly portable unlike those.