Browsers were the one thing that VR users didn’t see much on their app store. When you think about the possibilities, browsers didn’t do much when it came to VR. Mozilla Firefox hopes to change that with their release of Firefox Reality, a VR web browser that is released for Viveport, Oculus, and Daydream.
This isn’t a PC to VR port as Mozilla touts that the Firefox Reality is built from the ground up to be a full-fledged VR browser. Mozilla wants the users to explore the 3D web and other immersive content that is out there for VR users. In the announcement, Mozilla made it clear that users will have the option to switch back and forth between the immersive web and the 2D web seamlessly with the new VR browser.
They also put in a lot of thought into making the Firefox Reality beginning with the way that people usually search on the web. With ordinary VR browsers, users will have to use the virtual keyboard, which takes more time than a regular keyboard to input the text. The Firefox Reality enables users to use their voice for input. This saves time and gives the users a feeling that they are using a browser that is specifically made for VR.
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“We had to rethink everything, including navigation, text-input, environments, search and more. This required years of research, and countless conversations with users, content creators, and hardware partners. The result is a browser that is built for the medium it serves. It makes a big difference, and we think you will love all of the features and details that we’ve created specifically for a MR browser” added Andre Vrignaud, Mozilla’s Head of Mixed Reality Platform Strategy.
Another feat that the Mozilla Reality achieved was making relevant content available for the users easily. The moment they open the browser, they will be show VR experiences like apps and games that they can try, making it easier for the users to find new experiences.
Mozilla Firefox Reality uses Quantum engine for mobile browsers for a seamless operation. The browser even sports a private browsing window. The consumer version is at version 1.1, and Mozilla is just getting started. We can expect to see more from the company in coming months.