As virtual reality piques the interest of more and more people, Google Cardboard receives serious upgrades from the multinational technology company. The latest pieces of information on the matter are that the Cardboard feature will soon have surround sound, that Google has partnered with GoPro and that it has created a new arm for virtual reality.
Google is extending its reach over numerous other fields, as it has recently announced its involvement in self-driving cars. One such field is virtual reality, which is gaining more popularity with each passing day. You do not need to go to a museum or have a complex device in order to enjoy this experience, since it is also available on your smartphone. All you have to do is buy a Google Cardboard, encase your phone into it and look through the two small lenses. The low price of the device has made it extremely popular, and thus Google has decided to make some improvements.
In this regard, the company has created a special arm that focuses exclusively on virtual reality. The division is helmed by Clay Bavor, the man who came up with the idea of Google Cardboard and also worked on Google Docs and Gmail. The division will include people from other famous companies, such as GoPro, which is masterfully developing small, efficient cameras. We can only assume that the virtual reality content will be filmed using their cameras and later incorporated into Google Cardboard. Lastly, the feature will come as close as it can to reality thanks to the new system that includes surround sound. No, you will not need speakers in every corner of your room, the sounds will still come solely from your smartphone.
The competition in the virtual reality field is tough as it includes huge companies such as Microsoft and Facebook, and highly acclaimed displays like HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. As a result, Google has another project set to aid filmmakers in creating 360-degree videos, involving the GoPro Odyssey, a 16-camera array.
Google Cardboard can be downloaded from the Apple Store for iOS devices, or from Google Play for Android phones. You can buy the cardboard online, either from the company’s website or other online stores. However, if you enjoy a challenge you can build the device yourself after reading the instructions found on the Google website. You will need some cardboard, velcro, a rubber band, magnets and lenses, but the website lists everything that you need and the places where you can find them.
Google Cardboard receives serious upgrades from its makers also because it has proven useful for other purposes than entertainment. It seems it can truly help children suffering from autism, and thus it is only rational to improve it in order to help as many people as possible.
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