Want a virtual world headset , but ca n’t afford the hefty pricetag on most exist models ( or to throw out for the futurity ) ? Google drop an inexpensive root today following itsI / atomic number 8 keynote : Google Cardboard , an app that allow Android users transform their phones into VR headset with the aid of a DIY cardboard viewer .
It ’s not exactly the Oculus Rift , but who cares what the outside looks like if the practical reality experience is any good ? The Cardboard app lets users watch YouTube , virtually carouse on Google Street View or almost scale the Himalayas with Google Earth , among other immersive demo . But first , you have to put your composition board viewer together . Googleprovided directionsto put together the viewer , which is made from cardboard , velcro , magnet , and lenses ( NFC tatter optional ) .
If you ’re curious , the appis availablein the Google shimmer store , and cardboard is available at your local ironware shop , and likely some local recycling bins . Google commend using corrugate composition board , so your headset will credibly look wonky if you attempt to use something you actually found in the garbage .
Update : Our own Brent Rose got some ( very special ) time with Cardboard earlier today , and confirms that it is awesomesauce :
I just get to spend a very agile minute with Cardboard before I had to go off , and oh hey , surprise , this piece of cardboard is awesome ! Basically , once you put it together ( which took me about 45 moment while watching the tutorial on theCardboard web site ) , you drop your phone into the back panel , velcro it down , and you ’re off .
You hold the box up to your face , and suddenly you ’re looking at a horizontal row of lotion . To scroll back and off , you just twist your header . Oh and you see that little washer that ’s hold up to the side ? That ’s how you tap thing ! You slide it down in its lilliputian cardboard time slot and it pops back up . It feel like a sure-enough school view - finder .
I used it to look into the Pixar - similar world ofWindy Day , and it was improbably immersive . Responsive , too . The gyro in the phone worked very well , and as I turned my head , the world turned with me with no lag ( that I was able to observe in the 30 indorsement I was in there ) .
I was using aNexus 5which is 1080p , but it ’s split between your two eyes , so it ’s in spades not quite retina . It ’s certainly on - par with the first edition of the Oculus Rift , though . As speech sound become in high spirits solvent ( like the 2560×1440LG G3this will just wait better and safe .
We ’ll do a deep nosedive with this soon , but for now , we are very , very impressed considering it ’s a couple cent worth of cardboard , a pair of plastic lenses , a magnet , and a automatic washer . VR is about to get very , very cheap and omnipresent .
GoogleGoogle CardboardVirtual realness
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