Google I/O 2016

Project Ara, Google's modular smartphone is intriguing, but we haven't heard much about it - until now. Last week we learned a lot more about how the system works, how it fits into the current landscape of modular phones and why we should be at least cautiously excited about it.

This year's Google I/O may have fallen short of our lofty dreams of a fully standalone VR headset, but it did still paint a pretty clear picture of where Google is going with this stuff – and how that changes (and doesn't change) the consumer VR landscape.

Today Google announced an Android-based VR platform called Daydream, with no physical hardware in sight (yet). Let's take stock of what we do and don't know about Daydream.

We're at Google's 2016 I/O event, the annual showcase for some of its upcoming software innovations, and one of those innovations is Instant Apps for Android. Instant Apps let you download and use part of an app without installing it, and there are a whole range of ways that could prove useful.

Gizmag is live in Mountain View for this year's Google I/O event, and alongside Echo-like assistants and VR software, Google has also treated us with news of a big update for Android Wear. Improvements to messaging, standalone apps and more are on the way.

As expected, Google announced a new virtual reality component for Android at its I/O conference today, setting the foundation for new VR apps, standalone headsets and more. It's called Daydream and the technology will be built into the upcoming Android N release when it arrives later this year.

Mario Queiroz, Google's Vice President of product management unveiled Google Home, one of the expected announcements at today's I/O event. Will it be an Echo killer?​

Google is rumored to announce a standalone VR headset on Wednesday and, if it ticks a few key boxes, could end up planting its flag in an unclaimed sweet spot that successfully balances quality and price.