I’ve just recently purchased my own second-generation VR Viewer from Morrisons for only £4.75 (yes that’s right under £5.00!) off the shelf. I thought it would be a great idea to share my experience with Google Cardboard, and write a review for anyone interested in buying one.
Setting it up was relatively simple, the instructions were included in the box, and some diagrams for piecing it all together was also printed onto the cardboard. Once the unit was constructed together, I downloaded the Google Cardboard app (Free on iOS and Android) and paired the VR Viewer with my iPhone using a QR code at the bottom of the headset. Afterwards, I launched the Google Cardboard app, selected the demo, placed my phone into the back of the viewer and started using it.
There are 5 demos to choose from in the menu, which you can navigate towards by tilting your head, and selecting them by using the built in capacitive button.
The demos included with the Google Cardboard app are the Tutorial, Explorer, Exhibit, Urban Hike, Kaleidoscope and Arctic Journey. Each demo offers an immersive experience, which lets you explore around and interact with the objects in front of you.
My favourite demo would have to be the Arctic Journey – it truly shows the full potential of Google Cardboard and what developers can do with this platform. The Explorer demo shows you around some of the best tourist attractions, and also around the surface of Mars through the Mars Spirit Rover. Exhibit showcases some 3D art; Urban Hike is a cut down version of Google Street view (for the purposes of VR) and the Kaleidoscope is extremely trippy!
My only criticisms with Google Cardboard is that there isn’t a lot of VR apps for the platform, the quality is not the best and there’s no headstrap or padding (unless you add these on later yourself.)
Overall, I think Google Cardboard is the best solution for anyone wanting to step into Virtual Reality for the first time, without having to spend lots of money on a VR Headset. You have the option to either build your own VR Viewer by using the instructions online provided by Google, or buy a pre-built one – if you don’t want the hassle of making your own.
If you decide later on that you would like to upgrade to something slightly better, then I would suggest getting a Samsung Galaxy VR or a Google Daydream headset for Android users. Unfortunately for iOS users – Apple isn’t interested in making a VR Headset, so your best option would be to get a Zeiss VR One Plus Headset for your iPhone.
For all of the latest in the VR industry, make sure to visit http://vr-now.co.uk/
Written by: Jordan Ewbank
Photo credit - Wikipedia, Google Play Store
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