Google Acquires New Virtual Reality Technology

Google has acquired new virtual reality technology that will reportedly make the audio experience more synchronous with what users are seeing, Trinity College Dublin announced today.

Google Ireland recruited a team of four graduate engineers to continue research and application on "Thrive," a VR audio system that enables more realistic audio design in virtual reality settings. The ongoing research, which is funded by Irish commercialization funds and state grants, started several years ago in an effort to bolster virtual reality's staying power.

Google is one of numerous companies funding research, applications and development in the VR space. Just today, Oculus VR, the company behind the ubiquitous Oculus Rift headset, held a press conference ahead of its E3 presentations next week, announcing new content and several partnerships. Sony has a new studio dedicated to its Project Morpheus headset, and Valve's Vive VR has garnered praise from a handful of hands-on experiences so far.

For more news about virtual reality and headset development, content and partnership, stay tuned to IGN.

Mike Mahardy is a journalist based in New York. You can follow him on Twitter at @mmahardy, where he rants about Kurt Vonnegut and the NY Yankees.