Because virtual reality is one of the hottest topics right now, and one that most technology giants are turning their gaze upon, it shouldn’t be a surprise that a new Google VR headset is imminent. With the long awaited for Oculus Rift right around the corner and less than 2 months away from its release date, news of Apple starting its own VR research and development department and Google only having its Google Cardboard headset to offer to its own public, things are probably soon to change.

Even if the original idea behind Google Cardboard was undoubtedly cheap genius, it probably won’t be able to stand up against its competitors. As a result, Google seems to be developing a new smartphone-assisted VR headset that has improved specifications. While these are only rumors, it is said that the new headset has better sensors and lenses and that it has ditched the hilarious and cheap cardboard build for a more solid plastic casing.

But that is no guarantee that the new Google virtual reality headset will be able to compete directly with gadgets the likes of Oculus Rift. The latter is a device that has been thoroughly designed with the idea that it should be a standalone – even though you do need to connect it to a rather capable computer in order to play anything in VR.

However, thinking that VR only limits itself to gaming would be an unfair understatement. Developers envision more and more utility for virtual reality on a daily basis – starting with design, art, health, education and even psychology. While so far virtual experience has limited itself to giving its users a mere glimpse of literally experiencing virtual reality such as gaming or ‘visiting’ places in virtual space – such as Mount Everest – VR is destined for much more.

But for example, Dom Barnard, cofounder of the VirtualSpeech app said that one of the best applications they could have thought of for the Google Cardboard and Samsung Gear VR headsets was their own application that helps the user get over their fear of public speaking. He also mentioned that he imagines a world where kids in school put on VR headsets to learn about the human body or historic sites.

Virtual reality is still in its very early stages and we’ve already heard of some stunningly beautiful and clever applications of it. Time will only tell just how far it can truly go.

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