Verizon Wireless provided a Droid Turbo smartphone; all opinions are my own. Find out more about this Droid Turbo and all of Verizon’s services at www.verizonwireless.com
I’ve been hearing more and more excitement about the new virtual reality technology hitting the market over the last few months. Wanting to get a taste of this new technology, but not looking to spend the $200-$300 for one of the fancy new headsets, I decided to use my Droid Turbo as a virtual reality platform using a Google Cardboard headset.
The Google Cardboard headset is just what it sounds like; a simple device created from a piece of cardboard. But with this headset, which is priced between $5 and $25, paired with a powerful smartphone such as the Droid Turbo, creates an incredible experience.The Droid Turbo is the perfect smartphone to use with the cardboard headset because of its high pixel density screen which provides a crystal clear picture, while the ultra-fast processor ensures that the virtual reality apps run silky smooth.
reate your own Google Cardboard device. Download the device template from Google (instructions can be found here) and purchase the required Biconvex lenses on Amazon. If you decide to purchase a Google Cardboard, make sure to look for brands that have received the Google Cardboard Badge so you can be sure it works great with the apps and games. That’s how I chose the I AM CARDBOARD® Google Cardboard Kit for my Droid. There are plenty of knock-offs with substandard lenses and faulty magnets.Google Cardboard App Recommendations
While there are a plethora of virtual reality apps to choose from in the Google Play store featuring 3D VR or full screen 360 stories, but there are a few that really stand out. “Titans of Space” by DrashVR puts you in the front seat of a small spacecraft. You are then taken on an autopilot tour of the entire solar system where you get a first-hand look at all of the planets and a truly awe-inspiring up close view of our sun. The sense of scale that I got from being able to “fly” up to Jupiter and Saturn was really eye opening.
Another free app that shows off the Droid Turbo‘s power is “Vrse.” This app has a library of virtual reality experiences including a walk down a New York street, a behind the camera view of Saturday Night Live, and my personal favorite, a video called “The Evolution of Verse” that really cannot be described, you’ll just have to try it yourself.
Virtual reality is arriving in a big way in the next few years, and this is something that I think everyone should try. Even my middle-aged mother enjoyed looking at the universe through the virtual reality app and may be getting a Google Cardboard device to explore more. After all, with the Droid Turbo, all you need is an affordable piece of cardboard with the right optical lenses, to open up whole new worlds.
Have you tried Google Cardboard or the Droid Turbo?
This is so cool! I would love to try it.
How neat. I haven’t heard of these before, but I bet when my son does he will want some.
Interesting post. I’ve been scanning tweets about these cardboard VR glasses since last month, but I wasn’t interested enough to click on the links: it didn’t make sense that they would work, everyones vision is different, etc. This is the first I’m hearing about Biconvex lenses.
Never heard about this before, very interesting. Would love to try it out myself and see how it truly works!
Looking at the pictures in this post, I remembered one of my favorite childhood toys – The View Finder. The Google cardboard would make viewing movies/videos on our smartphones a lot better. Cool idea!
They have a ViewMaster version comeing out this fall 🙂 It’s ADORABLE!
This would be amazing to try. I had not heard of this before. I am going to show this to my Son.
How cool is that! My kids will have a lot of fun with this.
Google cardboard is really affordable and great technology into VR, however, it caused me headache and eyestrain after a few minutes of use. So I gifted it to my friend.
I can see how that’s possible for sure. My son has no problem with it, I have to wear my glasses inside the Google Cardboard. I think under 30 minutes is plenty.
Omg and I thought I was pretty good about knowing all this technology! This is new to me. Sounds pretty neat 🙂
I have never heard of Google Cardboard until now, but this is just so cool! My husband has been talking a lot about the virtual reality headsets coming out soon. He’s so excited about them, but it’s totally going to be a few years until he gets to play with one because you know how expensive they are! This seems like a much more cost-effective option for sure.
This sounds so cool! My kids would really like this.
This is a very intriguing device. I like that it is not that expensive and I definitely want to experience it for myself.
I attempted to comment on my android phone and it wouldn’t let me so I went to my computer and now I can finally do it. There is a side pop up that comes up with a list of post that get in the way. Now on to my comment finally 🙂 Hope you can fix that there are users who use their phones to read blogs 🙂
I was thinking it does remind me of the view master I would love to give google cardboard a try it I think it would be fun.
That looks so fun. I have never tried the Google Cardboard or the Droid Turbo. I would love to do this.
Very interesting! I have never heard of either Google Cardboard or the Droid Turbo. Cannot wait to learn more about it!
This is so cool! I have never heard of this before and I think it’s awesome.
Wow this is amazing and I have no idea how this stuff works. Too much for my brain
I’ve never heard of this before! It sounds really great (and neat!) I wouldn’t ever think cardboard could do such things how cool!
How fun that your mom did it too. I’m middle-aged and I’d be all in too. 🙂
This is my first time to hear about the Google Cardboard. Interesting! 🙂
Well how cool is this. I bookmarked the template! I really want to try this and maybe use it in my classroom
This sounds REALLY cool but my boys do NOT need yet another thing to play. I will have to hide in my closet and experiment with this all alone!
Wow, what a cool peek ahead at technology. It’s so smart to have made this as a substitution yourself too.
I just got a Google cardboard at BlogHer. Hubby is enjoying it. Thanks for the app suggestions!
This is so neat! I’ll have to look more into this because I think me kids would rally enjoy it.
Wow I have never heard of this before. Who would think a piece of cardboard could create amazing things.
I never heard of that so thanks for sharing. It looks like a view master!! I pinned this to my Tech Tips board on Pinterest. So cool!!!
That is super cool. It reminds me of the old viewmasters I had as a kid.