We first heard about Lytro back in 2011 when, at the time, it came out with an unprecedented “light field” technology with the ability to refocus pictures after they’re taken. The company later changed focus to virtual reality and pro cameras. Now, according to a report from TechCrunch, the company is being acquired by Google.
Unnamed sources said that Google is mostly interested in taking the company’s technology and patents for around $40 million, and some employees have already departed the company.
https://vimeo.com/179833357
So why is Google going after Lytro’s technology and patents? Well, light friend technology has a lot of implications for virtual reality. Previously, we saw Google launch “Welcome to Light Fields” app on Steam with “navigable stills” where the user can “experience real-world reflections, depth, and translucence like never before in VR.” Google’s takeover of Lytro’s technology makes sense since the search engine company is making a push in its own app.
