Matterport are largely known as a provider of professional-grade 360-degree cameras that can also capture DSLR high quality stills. Matterport also supply Matterport VR Spaces, an app that allows users to access virtual reality (VR) content published by Matterport’s partner industries. Matterport is now planning to extend support for Matterport VR spaces beyond Google Daydream to any Android device using WebVR.
Matterport have been working with real estate companies such as Truss to provide 360-degree walkthrough of available properties for customers to explore at their leisure using a Google Daydream headset. With the addition of WebVR support, users on any compatible Android device will be able to use their web browser to view the Matterport VR space content without needing a Google Daydream headset or a separate app.
WebVR is designed to be an open source standard developed by a group of engineers as part of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). The WebVR API was developed and shaped by experts from Google, Apple, Mozilla and other internet and VR companies. WebVR allows end users to access VR content using a web browser, without needing individual apps, codecs or other software.
For Matterport Vr space using WebVR, users wishing to access content will need an Android device with Android 5.0 Lollipop or newer, along with a built in gyroscope and Chrome browser version 59 or newer. A user will just need to tap the VR icon in the bottom right to switch to VR mode whist viewing Matterport content.
Matterport have plans to extend WebVR support to iOS devices and to Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR in the near future, though a time frame for this has not been specified.
VRFocus will bring you further news on Matterport and WebVR as it becomes available.
via Mint VR