Google Brings 'Cardboard' Virtual Reality Headset to iOS With New SDK, iPhone App

Google last year debuted Google Cardboard, an inexpensive virtual reality platform that combined a cardboard mount and lens with a smartphone to create a virtual reality headset.

Up until today, Google Cardboard has only been available for Android users, but at its Google I/O event, Google announced a new Google Cardboard app for iOS. The new app lets the Cardboard system work with Apple's iPhones for the first time.

googlecardboard
With a Cardboard viewer and an iPhone 5, 5c, 5s, 6, or 6 Plus, the Cardboard app can be used to explore virtual environments, use a virtual kaleidoscope, view 3D objects in a virtual museum, and take hikes through cities around the world.

Google also announced a new version of Cardboard at its I/O event, which can accommodate phones as big as six inches. It also has a new activation "switch" that is constructed of cardboard instead of magnets, allowing it to work with all phones.

There are several third-party companies that have constructed Cardboard viewers based on Google's Cardboard specifications, which can be purchased at prices that start at $20. Google also provides instructions that let users make their own Cardboard headsets.

Google Cardboard can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

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Top Rated Comments

elmateo487 Avatar
132 months ago
It is funny how different Google and Apple are. Apple would never use the word cardboard in the title of one of their products.

It's like cats and dogs with these guys, and its a good thing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nagromme Avatar
132 months ago
Here's a heads-up:

Virtual Reality is a gimmick and will have as much success as 3D tv.

So you haven't tried it, I see :)
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
69Mustang Avatar
132 months ago
Holy crap. Mattel is coming out with a version of Cardboard based on the classic View Master. The tech nerd and the toddler in me just high fived. The toddler got a little too excited and needs a diaper change.:o

View Master yay!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tennisproha Avatar
132 months ago
This sounds like a great Google April Fool's joke.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeremy1026 Avatar
132 months ago
It is funny how different Google and Apple are. Apple would never use the word cardboard in the title of one of their products.

It's like cats and dogs with these guys, and its a good thing.

"We developed this corrugated paper to have over 100 times the strength of standard paper that you get out of your printer. And it weighs only 3.4 times as much. That is an incredible amount of strength." -Jony Ive
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
boast Avatar
132 months ago
I've seen this at work. Nice to see people looking like tools.

You must be real fun at parties...
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)