Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
Daydream VR reference unit showcased at Google I/O (Update: Google confirms new hardware)
![clay bavor daydream-Google IO 2016 clay bavor daydream-Google IO 2016](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/clay-bavor-daydream-Google-IO-2016.jpg)
Original post (5/18): Today at the Google I/O conference event, Google unveiled their new platform for virtual reality called Daydream, which aims to take the direction Google Cardboard has been going a step further by optimizing VR standards for mobile devices. This initiative comes part and parcel with a new kind of headset, which will bring Google VR users a new degree of immersion.
![cardboard](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cardboard.jpg)
The reference headset has been distributed to developers and manufacturers, and we can expect to see the earliest versions hitting the market this fall. Unlike Google Cardboard, which features only a headset with little means of tactile interaction beyond a single button mounted to the headset itself, the Daydream reference unit come with specs for a multi-button handheld control. This accompanying device has sensors dedicated to determining its position in physical space, allowing you to interact seamlessly with digital objects in virtual reality. It also features a large touchpad to allow for more nuanced manipulation.
![daydream controller-Google IO 2016 daydream controller-Google IO 2016](https://www.androidauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/daydream-controller-Google-IO-2016.jpg)
The future of VR looks bright in the hands of Google. Let us know what you think of Daydream and its reference unit in the comments below.