[lionleaf]

This is a big deal. It basically adds the two factors that made GearVR better than cardboard to any VR ready Android phone: OS integration and better IMU sensors. It basically puts high quality (but not cutting edge) VR in everyones pocket, all you need is a dumb holder with lenses.

My prediction is that this will play a huge role in mass adoption of VR!

[joeyrideout]

I completely agree. I thought Samsung/Oculus had gotten it right with the GearVR, but the performance improvements from a native, full-stack integration of VR functionality is giving me goosebumps. They even have a new spec which multiple vendors can get behind.

I'm going to start researching this platform now and will invest my time as a developer in it as soon as possible. I predict that this will be a good platform to get behind. Perhaps I'm being naive, but in a space with as much market potential as VR, this vision has me incredibly excited.

edit: One more thought: The hardware that they showed in the demo appears to be a step ahead of GearVR in usability as well. The headstrap isn't painfully assembled (my GearVR unit falls apart half the time I put it on) and it comes with input controllers. GearVR is woefully lacking in input options out of the box.