There's been a lot of talk about what Google's next step in VR was going to be. It was suggested "Android VR" was going to be some kind of standalone, Hololens-esque headset, or something you plugged your phone into to power with its own display. It turns out what Google actually had planned is a lot more in line with what the company already stressed was so important about VR — that it be something everyone can enjoy. The announcement of Daydream as the next step for VR at Google surprised a lot of folks, but after a more detailed explanation from the VR session at Google I/O, it's clear Google's plans are much larger than what might seem like a mere upgrade to Cardboard. Here's what we know so far. Hardware: VR for many, but not all

Google's announcement for Daydream included the idea that phones would need to meet some sort of minimum system requirements in order to be considered "Daydream Ready" when released. Phones that wanted to include the ability to run Daydream needed to offer a high-end processor, display capable of considerably low persistence, and high-end sensors for accurate head tracking. This means Daydream-compatible phones will be initially only be flagships, and they'll need to be more capable than anything we currently have on the market. Google has positioned the Nexus 6P as the only reference phone for developers to work with until appropriate reference hardware is released, and it is made abundantly clear on the developer site for Daydream that actual Daydream phones will be more powerful and capable.

Here's a rough idea of how Daydream will visually behave at launch: you take your capable phone and put it into a headset that evokes Google Cardboard-esque with a head strap. Unlike Cardboard, which is designed for brief VR experiences while being held up to your eyes, Daydream is meant to be used while connected to your face for extended periods of time. Instead of a Samsung Gear VR-esque control interface on the headset itself, Daydream is going to rely on a separate controller designed by Google for most interactions in the Daydream system. This controller is a requirement for using Daydream at all — you'll need a full Daydream kit in order to play in Google's vision of VR. Daydream partners will take the reference design offered by Google and build a headset and controller that follows the specification, which means by the time the 2016 holiday season rolls around there are likely to be several options to choose from at a variety of price points. One of those options is going to be made by Google, and likely made available alongside the release of the next Nexus phone (which will be running Android N and be Daydream-ready out of the box). In the meantime, Google has released a test kit for the Nexus 6P and a clever sticker and emulator for using another phone of your choosing as a faux Daydream controller. Software: A more complete VR experience