Google is launching the new Daydream View (2017) virtual reality headset in several European countries as well as Australia. The wider release follows the U.S. launch of the device which took place in mid-October, where the VR headset is currently available for the price of $99. In European countries including Germany, Italy, France, and Spain, the headset is priced at €109 (£99), or the rough equivalent of $30, whereas in Australia it comes with a price of $149 AUD ($114 USD).
The Daydream View (2017) VR was originally introduced in a total of three color options, including Fog, Charcoal, and Coral, though not all of these color choices seem to be available in all regions, with some countries including Germany, Spain, Italy, and France being limited only to the Charcoal variant as of this writing. Regardless of this particular detail, the new Daydream View promises various improvements over the first-generation offering, including a better design for the opening flap which now accommodates a series of magnesium heat pipes acting as a heat sink for connected smartphones. The device also improves the end-user experience with the inclusion of an additional head strap and comes with a dedicated motion controller matching the color of the headset, featuring high-tech precision tracking and Bluetooth LE (low energy) connectivity.
The list of smartphones compatible with the Daydream View (2017) includes the original Pixels as well as the Pixel 2 series, LG V30, Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, and the Galaxy Note 8, as well as the Moto Z and Moto Z2. In addition, the ASUS ZenFone AR also made the list alongside the Huawei Mate 9 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 9, and last but not least considering it’s been the first smartphone in China to support Daydream, the ZTE Axon 7 can also be paired with Google’s new VR unit. Like before, the product is wrapped in a textile material supposed to block light from penetrating the internal compartment, all the while allowing the skin to breathe more freely. The product weighs 261 grams while the controller including its 220mAh battery tips the scales at 40 grams, making the entire package relatively lightweight and suitable for somewhat longer VR sessions, according to Google.