Chrome’s desktop browser now supports web-based VR on Oculus Rift

Published on April 19, 2018

According to a recent Tech Crunch, a researcher on Reddit found that Google Chrome now extends support for Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. The support will be available in version 66.0.3359.117. One can load up the browser’s ‘flags’ settings (type ‘chrome://flags’ in the address bar) and can go on to see the latest ‘Oculus browser support’ listing within the system. If the setting is activated, then Google Chrome can use Facebook’s VR device for virtual reality as well. The setting usually appears to be as a default network, which the users can manually choose to either disable or enable whenever they prefer to do so as such. “Yep, it works,” one Reddit user confirms. “Had a quick look at the Google Mars surface demo. Without the flag enabled, you get an option for a desktop 360 view. Enable the flag though, and an option to view in VR is there, and it launches it straight to the headset.”

The search giant has gone on to publish a couple of demos on the official platform that is uniquely created by Web VR, an application programming interface that is based on JavaScript to enable virtual reality experiences in a browser. The setting is especially correct without the need to add any software for the downloading purpose. Web VR can go on to detect the virtual reality headset and even go on to determine its capabilities as well. Apart from this, one can get the position and orientation information right as well as render images at a framerate that is supported by the PC’s graphics chip and the headset as well. The news showed up on Google’s added support for Web VR platform within the Chrome 61 setting that is meant for Daydream View headsets back in September.

According to the Google evangelist Francois Beaufort, the browser enables users to interact with any website that goes on to be based in virtual reality. Users can follow links between the pages and even automatically switch from 2D content to 3D-based sites to support the Web VR platform. The current virtual reality headsets go on to work with Web VR in different ways. For example, the HTC Vive works with Firefox, Servo and Super medium on Windows devices while the Firefox Nightly goes on to support the Web VR applications for the Five on Mac OS. As far as Oculus Rift is concerned, the Web VR platform works well with Firefox, Super medium as well as Chrome on the Windows devices as well. Here is a complete list of all the products and their compatible counterparts:

HTC Vive: Firefox, Servo, and Supermedium (Windows / Firefox Nightly (MacOS)

Oculus Rift: Firefox, Servo, Supermedium, Chrome (Windows)

Samsung Gear VR: Oculus Browser, Samsung Internet

Daydream: Chrome

Google Cardboard: Chrome

Windows Mixed Reality headsets: Microsoft Edge / Firefox and Supermedium via SteamVR

PlayStation VR: No support

One of the cheapest way while accessing the Web VR-supported content if the users already have their Android smartphones in place to make use of Google Cardboard. For those who aren’t aware, it is company’s solution for virtual adventurers, who have a tight budget. The search giant’s first-party entry will go on to set one back by merely $15, whereas if one’s Android smartphone extends support for the Daydream platform, users can opt for a pricier Daydream View headset that sells for roughly $100. “WebVR is the brainchild of Mozilla’s Vladimir Vukićević, introduced in 2014,” notes the report by Tech Crunch. “The first full version didn’t become available until March 2016, presented by the Google Chrome and Mozilla VR teams. Version 1.1 arrived in April 2017 while WebVR 2.0 is expected to arrive in 2018,” the report further adds. 

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