Mozilla VR image via mozvr.com
Firefox is attempting to bring virtual reality (VR) to the widest audience possible as it releases an early build of its WebVR Firefox Nightly and Developer browser versions for use with the Oculus Rift.
So far, the VR service will only be available with the Oculus-made headset, but according to its blog post announcing this release, it will eventually be able to support lower-end DIY VR headseats including Google’s Cardboard.
Its early users will certainly be limited to a select few however given that the Oculus Rift remains to be given a commercial release date with existing users only having access to developer models, while the Firefox VR-capable browser is still only in alpha mode.
While VR support will be enabled in our Nightly and Developer edition (alpha) builds, it will currently be automatically disabled in beta and release builds,” said the blog post from Mozilla’s engineering director, Vlad Vukicevic. “We’re still making rapid improvements and changes to both the VR interfaces and the necessary platform support pieces. Once WebVR is more complete, we’ll discuss shipping plans to our Beta and Release builds.”
The creation of a VR-supported browser follows on from Mozilla’s previous VR development through the site mozvr.com that was the company’s testing bed for all things VR and currently acts as a testing ground for Oculus Rift owners to test the VR software and view other browser VR projects.
