Wayfair expands virtual reality app portfolio

Wayfair is so bullish on virtual reality that it launched its second app — a solution designed to guide shoppers through virtual showrooms.



Available on Daydream, Google’s mobile VR platform, Wayfair’s IdeaSpace app enables consumers to explore a variety of uniquely designed spaces, and shop their favorite finds in an interactive setting. IdeaSpace was built by Wayfair Next, the company’s internal research and development team, using Google’s virtual reality technology.



Inspired by Wayfair’s “Get the Look” web page, the app allows shoppers to explore featured interiors from designers, as well as Wayfair commercials and catalogs, in a completely immersive experience.



“Discovery is an essential part of the Wayfair shopping experience,” said Steve Conine, co-founder and co-chairman, Wayfair. “Consumers explore our unmatched selection and inspirational content to find new ideas for their homes.”



By placing any Daydream-ready phone, such as Google's Pixel phone, into the Daydream View headset, shoppers are transported to a number of custom-designed rooms where they can move through with a swipe on the device controller. To “get the look,” shoppers point the cursor at featured 3-D products, click to display additional details, and rotate for a complete 360-degree view. Favorite products can be saved within the app.



“As the e-commerce leader in the home space, we believe that being on the forefront of new technology adoption will allow us to create the best possible shopping experience for our customers,” added Conine. “Using Google’s advanced technology, IdeaSpace takes the inspirational content our customers have come to expect to an entirely new level.”



Shoppers can download the Wayfair virtual reality app from Google Play.