What is Google Cardboard?

Google Cardboard is an affordable option for people who’d like to experience VR in a way that doesn’t hit your wallet that hard. Basically, it’s an immersive experience for everyone under all budgets.

Basically, all you have to do is get it, fold it and then look inside of it. That’s how easy it is to set up. Anyone can build the necessary supplies to build a true Cardboard virtual reality experience. Once you’ve built it or bought your own, you’ll have access to a huge selection of apps that will unfold all around you.

With Google Cardboard, you’ll be able to experience brand new games and have an immersive experience that you wouldn’t be allowed to with other VR headsets.

The Manufacturers Kit

Should you buy a manufacturers kit over building one yourself?

The API for the manufacturer’s kit comes with a lot of features that buying one yourself doesn’t

• You’ll get some tools that allow you to build 3D scenes with binocular rendering included, and you’ll get features such as head reaction movements
• If you have an existing 3D application, you’ll have tools that allow you to build some applications from scratch with the Cardboard SDK
• The new cardboard supports all phones that have screens that are 6 inches

Jump Rig

With the “Jump” camera rig, you can easily setup applications to be viewed like you’re actually there. The “jump” rig has a setup of 16 cameras arranged in a circular formation. The jump assembler comes pre-optimized to work with the size of the rig, and it should be good to go right out of the box.

Paralo PLAY

Have you ever seen a virtual reality world? It’s even more fun and addicting to build your own. When you make your own virtual reality, it allows you to explore your world, turning each journey into an adventure. A new startup called Paralo is working on a way for you to experience the virtual reality without spending an arm and a leg.

Most headsets for virtual reality are fairly uncomfortable, easily breakable and difficult to handle. Virtual reality headsets should be easy to use and should be comfortable, which is why Paralo has created PLAY.

How Does PLAY Work?

While PLAY is a nice, affordable alternative to a high-end VR kit, how does it work? When you put the PLAY headset on, there’s a sensitive gyroscope sensor in your phone that tracks your head movement. The virtual reality app will take this input and render the image in the direction your head is moved. It’s completely dynamic.

PLAY Features

• PLAY is highly adaptable and will adapt to fit every head size
• The features of PLAY are simple and elegant
• You can make your own adventure and take a peek into virtual reality
• If you don’t like the current colors you’re seeing, you can change them to suit your mood
• PLAY uses silicone rubber to fit comfortably on your head
• It’s waterproof, so you can take it anywhere

Google APIs

Looking to develop your own cardboard headset off of the Google APIs? You can easily do that with the Android SDK documentation and the Unity SDK Documentation:

• Android SDK Documentation
• Unity SDK Documentation

What Different Cardboard Models Are Out There?

There’s quite a selection and range of cardboard VR models out there depending on your personal preference and how you’d like them to fit your head. The majority of these models are in the $20 price range, with the basic ones coming in much less at around $5 or so, while fancy headsets with all the bells and whistles can be much pricier.

There’s the classic cardboard that comes as a straight cardboard look for $14.99. Then there’s the C1-Glass that costs $22 and features a stylish goggle design.

Build It Yourself

If you like arts and crafts projects, just download the schematics straight from Google and make one yourself. Most people probably have these items in their garage or somewhere in their home. If you’ve ever folded a successful paper airplane, you probably have the skills to make one of these, so there’s really no reason you should go another day wondering what VR is like.