Foreman: Google Cardboard Is Turning Smartphones into a Virtual Reality System

The Virtual Reality space is heating up: 779 VR startups with an average valuation of $4.8 million are registered on AngelList. During a recent Startup Grind panel discussion, Ignition Partners Principal Rachel Chalmers said that the VR space reminds her of the early days of smartphones.

The VR space also got a big assist from development of the Google Cardboard platform.

What's Google Cardboard?

If you haven't had a chance to check out Google Cardboard, it's worth taking a look. Google Cardboard is a virtual reality platform that utilizes a cardboard head mount where you can attach your smartphone. It was designed to be a low-cost virtual reality system with headsets that cost as little as $1.99. In comparison, an Oculus Rift headset costs about $1,000. Developers also can create their own applications using the Cardboard SDK.

You Have to See It to Understand 

In his TEDx Talk, VR entrepreneur and artist Chris Milk said, “Talking about virtual reality is like dancing about architecture.” You have to see it to understand it. To give it a try, you'll need to purchase a cardboard headset. Official Google Cardboard viewers can be purchased on the company’s website. They range anywhere from $15 to $120.

When you peep through its lenses, you will experience a world generated via a mobile app that can display landscapes, film, video games and other multimedia formats. The Google Play Store offers a plethora of apps to choose from and is compatible with iPhone and Android devices.

After you get your Google Cardboard headset, here are a few apps I recommend you try:

iPhone

• VR Roller Coaster for Google Cardboard
• VR Flappy for Google Cardboard
• Liftoff VR for Google Cardboard - Launch Falcon Rockets
• VR Flight Simulator for Google Cardboard Virtual Reality
• VR Island HD for Google Cardboard

Android

• Virtual Tour Google Cardboard
• Jurassic VR - Google Cardboard
• Insidious VR(this a creative way to promote a movie)
• Deep Space Battle VR
• Fulldive VR - Virtual Reality

At the 2016 Google I/O, Google announced the launch of a new VR platform coming this fall called Daydream. It’s a powerful VR system that will be enabled on VR-ready smartphones that have special sensors and screens.

It will be interesting to see the different applications that will arise from the new platform.