While this may not mean enhancements for VR apps, it's a start towards bringing good VR support to all smartphones.
The next version of Android, Android N, may have added capabilities for VR. First noted by Ars Technica, the second Android N Preview, which Google announced last week, has “VR Helper” and “VR Listener” registrations, that allow apps to work in virtual reality mode. The feature should work the way Notification Access does for smartwatches. You can go into Android N’s Settings menu and find the VR related option within a specific app.
Further, whether Google is adding extra support for VR isn’t clear yet. The VR Listener and VR Helper apps do not necessarily mean there will be special enhancements for Virtual Reality applications. That said, there have been reports about Google extending its Cardboard program. The company is rumoured to be working on a new VR headset for its I/O conference next month.
While all will be clear on Google I/O this year, the presence of the VR Listener and VR Helper options should allow some extra feature. For example, it could allow VR apps to keep a phone’s screen turned on. This is possible in the Samsung Gear VR right now, but your phone will turn off when it’s inside the Google Cardboard, unless you’re continually doing something on it.
Further, Android N already has a new set of emojis, along with support for Vulkan APIs and a 3D Touch style touch system.
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