PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

Report: Google Eyeing New VR Hardware

 & Stephanie Mlot Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

Our Expert
LOOK INSIDE PC LABS HOW WE TEST
65 EXPERTS
43 YEARS
41,500+ REVIEWS

Google took the virtual reality world by storm in the summer of 2014 with its some-assembly-required Cardboard headset.

But the disposable device—into which you slip your smartphone to view 360-degree videos—is less immersive than something like the Oculus Rift. But according to several new job listings, Google may be developing its own version of an advanced VR wearable.

Initially spotted by Road to VR, the online listings are searching for a Hardware Engineering Technical Lead Manager and a PCB Layout Engineer. According to PCMag sister site IGN, both assignments initially included "virtual reality" in their descriptions. But the phrase has since been replaced with "consumer hardware."

"Our consumer hardware team is working on revolutionizing how people interact with their hardware, and looking for engineers to make that a reality," the Technical Lead Manager post said. "We want to open new ways to interact with devices and create a natural, seamless interface the world's information."

Listings for an Electrical Hardware Engineer and Engineering Project Specialist with the Consumer Hardware team also cropped up in the last week. All the jobs are full-time positions at Google's Mountain View headquarters.

As IGN pointed out, these announcements come on the heels of Google naming Clay Bavor vice president of the company's new VR division.

Google did not immediately respond to PCMag's request for comment.

Google Cardboard debuted two years ago at the annual I/O event, a stereoscopic viewer that comes flat-packed with Ikea-style assembly instructions.

In December, the new Cardboard Camera app launched, allowing people to use their smartphone to create a virtual reality photograph of sorts. Then, earlier this month, Google updated its Unity and Android software development kits to add "spatial audio" support for a more realistic experience.

About Our Expert

Stephanie Mlot

Stephanie Mlot

Contributor

My Experience

  • B.A. in Journalism & Public Relations with minor in Communications Media from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
  • Reporter at The Frederick News-Post (2008-2012)
  • Reporter for PCMag and Geek.com (RIP) (2012-present)

My Areas of Expertise

  • Science & Space
  • Video Streaming Services
  • Social Media
  • Cars & Auto
  • Education

The Tech I Use

  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • MacBook Air (hooked up to a 23-inch Dell monitor)
  • Google Chrome
  • Google Drive
  • Soundcore Life P3 earbuds
  • Various Amazon Echo devices

Read full bio