Qualcomm has launched a new virtual reality (VR) software development kit (SDK) that is compatible for Snapdragon-based smartphones and virtual reality headsets.
According to the company the new Snapdragon VR SDK is equipped to offer immersive virtual reality and provide developers with access to optimized, advanced VR features. The SDK is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2016 through the Qualcomm Developer Network.
Supported Tech in Snapdragon VR
- DSP sensor fusion: The SDK enables developers to create more responsive and immersive experiences by accessing the right combination of high frequency inertial data from gyroscopes and accelerometers via the Snapdragon Sensor Core and predictive head position processing with the Qualcomm Hexagon DSP.
- Fast motion to photon: Supports asynchronous time warp with single buffer rendering for fast transformation of rendered images in 3D space, which helps reduce latency by up to 50% compared with not using the SDK
- Stereoscopic rendering with lens correction: Supports 3D binocular vision with color correction and barrel distortion for improved visual quality of graphics and video, enhancing the overall VR experience
- VR layering: Generation of menus, text, and other overlays so that they render correctly in a virtual world, reducing distortions that would otherwise make them difficult to read
- Power management: Integration with the Qualcomm® Symphony System Manager SDK to provide cohesive CPU, GPU, and DSP power and performance management to help achieve stable frame rates for VR applications running in low-power, thermally-constrained devices – improving power efficiency compared to not using the SDK
Dave Durnil, senior director, engineering, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.said
We’re providing advanced tools and technologies to help developers significantly improve the virtual reality experience for applications like games, 360 degree VR videos and a variety of interactive education and entertainment applications. VR represents a new paradigm for how we interact with the world, and we’re excited to help mobile VR developers more efficiently deliver compelling and high-quality experiences on upcoming Snapdragon 820 VR-capable Android smartphones and headsets.