Pros: Great, affordable way for
beginners to explore virtual
reality. Many different models
are available for purchase.
More apps are becoming
available for the device.
Works on both Android and
iPhones.
beginners to explore virtual
reality. Many different models
are available for purchase.
More apps are becoming
available for the device.
Works on both Android and
iPhones.
Cons: Some apps for it are not so great and will freeze a
mobile device.
mobile device.
BlackEnterprise.com Review:
You will hear and read a lot about virtual reality in
technology this year. Virtual reality is a computer-
generated three-dimensional image or environment with
which we interact. Facebook-ownedOculus VR is set to
launch the Oculus headset and Sony, as well as other tech
companies, are launching VR headsets soon. More VR
content is being made since 360-degree video is becoming
abundant—cameras such as the Nokia OXO can shoot high-
definition 3D video. VR apps, displays, and content will all
be at the forefront of tech coverage this year.
You will hear and read a lot about virtual reality in
technology this year. Virtual reality is a computer-
generated three-dimensional image or environment with
which we interact. Facebook-owned
launch the Oculus headset and Sony, as well as other tech
companies, are launching VR headsets soon. More VR
content is being made since 360-degree video is becoming
abundant—cameras such as the Nokia OXO can shoot high-
definition 3D video. VR apps, displays, and content will all
be at the forefront of tech coverage this year.
If you are just getting acquainted with virtual reality or
want an affordable way to experience it, then you will want
to know aboutGoogle Cardboard . Google sent Black
Enterprise a number of Cardboard headsets to try out and
we had a blast doing so in the office. Check out the video at
the end of this article.
want an affordable way to experience it, then you will want
to know about
Enterprise a number of Cardboard headsets to try out and
we had a blast doing so in the office. Check out the video at
the end of this article.
How It Works
Google Cardboard is not a new device—it was announced at
Google I/O—Google’s annual conference in 2014. However,
it has received an update since then and there are a lot
more apps available to work with it.
Google Cardboard is not a new device—it was announced at
Google I/O—Google’s annual conference in 2014. However,
it has received an update since then and there are a lot
more apps available to work with it.
Google Cardboard is made from a piece of cardboard cut
into the shape, somewhat like a ViewMaster toy, and is
comprised of two 45 mm focal length lenses, conductive
lever, a hook and loop fastener (such as Velcro), a rubber
band, and an optional near field communication (NFC) tag.
into the shape, somewhat like a ViewMaster toy, and is
comprised of two 45 mm focal length lenses, conductive
lever, a hook and loop fastener (such as Velcro), a rubber
band, and an optional near field communication (NFC) tag.
It works with a smartphone. Slide your phone into the
Cardboard viewer with the
screen facing the lenses. Open
a Google Cardboard app on
the phone and follow the
setup instruction, put the
viewer to your eyes.
Depending on the app, you control by pushing the magnet
on Google Cardboard or by turning your head—the specific
app instructs you on what to do.
Once the kit is assembled, a smartphone is inserted in the
back of the device and held in place by the selected
fastening device. A Google Cardboard–compatible app splits
the smartphone display image into two, one for each eye,
while also applying barrel distortion to each image to
counter pincushion distortion from the lenses; the result is
a stereoscopic (“3D”) image with a wide field of view.
back of the device and held in place by the selected
fastening device. A Google Cardboard–compatible app splits
the smartphone display image into two, one for each eye,
while also applying barrel distortion to each image to
counter pincushion distortion from the lenses; the result is
a stereoscopic (“3D”) image with a wide field of view.
How to Get It
Google Cardboard is a device you can build using Google’s
free, downloadable template and some additional items you
can find at a hardware store or online. The template gets
traced onto a piece of cardboard. Additional items needed
are two 45 mm focal lenses, magnets, velcro and a rubber
band. You can buy themagnets online for $1.03 and a pair
of lenses for $1.24.
Google Cardboard is a device you can build using Google’s
free, downloadable template and some additional items you
can find at a hardware store or online. The template gets
traced onto a piece of cardboard. Additional items needed
are two 45 mm focal lenses, magnets, velcro and a rubber
band. You can buy themagnets online for $1.03 and a pair
of lenses for $1.24.
Google has all of the instruction for assembling the device
available in a PDF file. If you want to skip assembling your
own, there are plenty of pre-made Google Cardboard
headsets. Some of them are even made of sturdier, more
expensive material than cardboard. Pre-made Google
Cardboard headsets generally run about $20-$35), though
these fancy viewers from Zeiss, are priced at $120-$129.
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