If Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) is trailing anyone in the virtual reality campaign, the company is working to change that and become the trendsetter. Whether Google eventually attains its dream is a different story, but what is clear is that it is putting its best foot forward on that frontier. The company has announced a new virtual reality platform known as Jump and also said it is partnering with GoPro Inc (NASDAQ:GPRO) on a virtual reality camera.
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOGL) took the opportunity at the ongoing Google I/O Conference to introduce Jump. The platform is designed for virtual reality video overlay. The platform is capable of transforming raw footage into virtual reality film so that developers can have a much easier time coming up with VR content.
16-camera rig
Looking beyond Jump as a VR platform, Google is working with GPRO to develop Jump-compatible camera – sort of a camera rig that boasts 16 GoPro Hero 4 cameras linked together.
Neither Google nor GPRO is revealing pricing or release details of the camera, but Google did say that more details about the camera project will be availed in July.
Google Cardboard for iOS
Google is pushing aggressively in the virtual reality market. The company started off with a low-cost, low-tech VR device that it called Cardboard, which it distributed to developers last year. The company says that a million Cardboards have been used, but it wants to go deeper in virtual reality rendering. While Cardboard was initially available on Android platform, the company has come up with a version of the VR device that is compatible with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s iOS devices. You can have virtual reality experience by connecting Cardboard to your smartphone.
Where to view Jump content
The virtual reality content based on Jump will be available on YouTube and Cardboard. The company also has a program to bring virtual reality experience to classroom so that students can enjoy virtual field trips without leaving the school compound.
