Google Search designer Jon Wiley moves to lead role on virtual reality tech

Jon Wiley's jump was first revealed on Monday via his Twitter profile, and the move was later confirmed by Google to Fast Company. No official reason for the change has been given, nor is there any indication of who might replace Wiley, or even exactly when he departed.

Cardboard is an extremely simple product on the surface, simply a frame for a smartphone made out of cardboard, velcro, and plastic. Google has also developed an SDK for developers however, and a number of Cardboard-ready apps can be downloaded from Google Play.

One possibility is that Google has significant plans for virtual reality, and that Wiley's transition is the first step towards developing a serious commercial product. Companies such as Sony, Samsung, HTC, and Facebook's Oculus are all making major investments in VR, now that the technology is powerful and affordable enough to be practical.

In February, Apple opened up a handful of VR-related job positions, suggesting that it too is exploring possible products. That same month the company secured a patent on a headset using an iPhone as a display, in some respects similar to Cardboard or Samsung's Gear VR.