It’s true – Google is releasing a virtual reality headset this year!

In January, Google indicated that they were likely developing their own virtual reality headset. Now, a new report claims to have confirmation that Google isn’t just working on a virtual reality headset, but they’re planning on debuting it sometime this year.

The report says that the headset will be a competitor to Samsung’s Gear VR. Along those lines, the device will need to be paired with a smartphone in order to operate.

In addition to the VR headset, Google will also release new Android VR software at the same time as the hardware. Specifically, Google is said to be working to improve the virtual reality experience by making its new VR software a local part of the Android operating system.

What isn’t mentioned is the VR camera that was strongly indicated in the Google job postings that were highlighted last month, so it’s possible that the camera could be released separately, or is perhaps even a part of the VR headset itself.

Aside from adding competition to the Samsung Gear VR, a Google VR headset would immediately have the wider range of non-Samsung Android smartphone as its playground.

As we mentioned last month, if this new VR hardware turns out to be true, it will mean that Google Cardboard, a relative success in its own right, was probably just a test to gauge consumer interest.

Now the only question is WHEN the Google VR headset will come. Google hasn’t made any official announcements about any new hardware in the VR space, but it’s definitely coming soon!

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