Firefox 55 Will Support WebVR By Default This August (Updated)

Update, 8/8/17, 6:25am PT: Firefox 55 is set to debut today with support for WebVR. Mozilla said in a developer update that WebVR support will be enabled by default on Windows, but macOS users will have to install a nightly build of the browser to use the API. You can find those builds (as well as beta and developer builds) on the Firefox website.

Original article: 6/1/17, 11:30am PT:

Mozilla announced that it will enable the WebVR API by default in Firefox version 55, due for release on August 8.

Virtual Reality On The Web

The WebVR API was born out of a necessity to enable virtual reality experiences on the web. For instance, Google Cardboard, HTC Vive, or Oculus Rift owners could use their devices to experience virtual reality content packaged by a web game or web app. This should make VR more accessible to a larger number of people, which could also make developers more interested in creating VR content.

Mozilla and Google have been working closely together for more than a year on the WebVR API. The two announced the first version of the proposed WebVR specification in March 2016. A few months later, Microsoft also announced that it would support the standard in its Edge browser.

WebVR Progress

Initially, WebVR support will arrive only on the Windows version of Firefox. Mozilla encouraged developers to use technologies such as the WebGL 3D graphics API, and tools for building VR content such as the A-Frame or React VR.

Mozilla said that in the next few months all the major browser vendors will be working to ensure their browsers pass the WebVR compliance tests. Right now, Apple doesn't seem to officially support the specification in its Safari browser, but it may be preparing an announcement at the next WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC), which starts on June 5.

For now, other than Mozilla, Microsoft seems to have taken the lead in passing the compliance tests for WebVR 1.1. Microsoft has recently made some major VR-related announcements for its Windows Mixed Reality platform. The platform seems to focus on VR capabilities for the moment, but it could potentially expand to include support for augmented reality, too, in the future.

Version 2.0 of the WebVR specification seems to be still in the draft stage right now, and browser vendors are recommended to avoid trying to implement it before the specification is more stable.