Android N to have added Virtual Reality support with dedicated 'VR helper service'

Google’s Android N second developer preview  has been released and apart from new emojis, Android developers will be able to add in new VR capabilities to their apps. Discovered by ArsTechnica , the new Android N preview comes with something called a ‘VR helper service’ or ‘VR Listener’ which is accessible by going into Settings > Apps > Configure apps > Special Access > VR Helper services. [caption id=“attachment_309748” align=“aligncenter” width=“281”] Image: ArsTechnica[/caption] According to the site, this will most likely work similar to the ‘Notification access’ screen. On the VR Helper list, you will be able to see the apps that are will be able to use the VR API and users can allow or deny the permissions to the app from using this feature. You will get a permissions warning with regards to VR service which states, " will be able to run when you are using applications in virtual reality mode." This seems to be a pre-cursor to the big VR push that Google is aiming at, most likely with a GearVR like headset which it might announce at the Google I/O next month. According to a Wall Street Journal report, Google is said to be working on its VR headset that does not require a smartphone, computer or game console. One of the popular features being speculated with regards to VR is the ability of the VR apps to disable the phone’s auto-lock mechanism so that the phone screen does not go into sleep mode when inside the headset.