Google Officially Rolls Out Cardboard VR Viewer to EU and Canada Stores

[MacRumors]

Google has begun selling its affordable VR viewer to customers in the U.K., France, Germany, and Canada.

The viewer works by phone owners inserting their handset into a cardboard shell that contains optical lenses. With a supporting game or app running on the phone, the image on the screen is split into two halves.

By looking into the lenses, the images are combined into one immersive, 3D image. Many Cardboard apps also use a phone's gyroscope and accelerometer to let users look around the virtual world.

Previously the popular cardboard device was only available outside of the U.S. via third parties and promotional offers, but Google is now offering it direct to international customers via its online store.

The VR viewer is available in Canada for $20 each or $35 for a pair, 20 Euros each or 30 Euros for two in France and Germany, and £15 each or £25 a pair in the U.K.

Cardboard supports Apple's range of iPhones and has an interactive click button that works with all compatible handsets.

(Via The Verge.)

Article Link: Google Officially Rolls Out Cardboard VR Viewer to EU and Canada Stores

 

[Dilster3k]

Whatever happened to Google Glass? Or that Q streaming device? Hahaha, suckers.

 

[RichTF]

I've got a Vive and it's amazing, really looking forward to the VR future and hoping that it takes off — it deserves to. Google Cardboard is a nice cheap way to dip your toe into that world.

 

[jonnysods]

This is so fun, I'm going to pick one up and show it to the kids!

 

[RightMACatU]

I finally decided to watch Boardwalk Empire... These bad boys would fit right in as product placement.
"Check these out Nucky! It's the new thing..."

 

[joueboy]

This is how I look at Google. They don't truly innovate anything except for the search algorithm. Since then they are just milking it through advertising. All these new projects they have all they have to do is overpricing them to pay the team of engineer. For awhile now Google is in the news every now and then, because they gets all the attention. Why? They make things that are news worthy, people gets excited because they think it's the future. Like the Glass but they killed it and want to start another project. The self driving car is still in progress because Google is taking advantage of data and popularity. They don't even make their own product, they just have somebody make it for them like the Nexus brand. Google will keep on doing this just so we keep on talking about them. Media will talk about what's the next big thing about Google. That's what Cook is trying to do with Apple talk to the media and get more attention. The only thing about Google is that they just keep on making money through advertising, and this company will survive for a long period of time. This year I'm sure you will hear another unicorn product from Google most likely that eye embedded technology thing.

 

[GenesisST]

To hell with Apple Pay in Canada! This is what I was waiting for!

Looks like a fun toy, though

 

[Bubba Satori]

Whatever happened to Google Glass? Or that Q streaming device? Hahaha, suckers.

Guten morgen, herr Tim.

 

[apolloa]

At Last!!! I've been wondering when Alphabet would eventually offer these for sale in the UK, bit expensive for some cardboard though!
[doublepost=1462971466][/doublepost]

This is how I look at Google. They don't truly innovate anything except for the search algorithm. Since then they are just milking it through advertising. All these new projects they have all they have to do is overpricing them to pay the team of engineer. For awhile now Google is in the news every now and then, because they gets all the attention. Why? They make things that are news worthy, people gets excited because they think it's the future. Like the Glass but they killed it and want to start another project. The self driving car is still in progress because Google is taking advantage of data and popularity. They don't even make their own product, they just have somebody make it for them like the Nexus brand. Google will keep on doing this just so we keep on talking about them. Media will talk about what's the next big thing about Google. That's what Cook is trying to do with Apple talk to the media and get more attention. The only thing about Google is that they just keep on making money through advertising, and this company will survive for a long period of time. This year I'm sure you will hear another unicorn product from Google most likely that eye embedded technology thing.

I think you just got Alphabet, they are not called Google anymore, mixed up with Apple. I would advise you edit your post.

 

[Stella]

So really, you just don't like Google?

This is how I look at Google. They don't truly innovate anything except for the search algorithm. Since then they are just milking it through advertising. All these new projects they have all they have to do is overpricing them to pay the team of engineer. For awhile now Google is in the news every now and then, because they gets all the attention. Why? They make things that are news worthy, people gets excited because they think it's the future. Like the Glass but they killed it and want to start another project. The self driving car is still in progress because Google is taking advantage of data and popularity. They don't even make their own product, they just have somebody make it for them like the Nexus brand. Google will keep on doing this just so we keep on talking about them. Media will talk about what's the next big thing about Google. That's what Cook is trying to do with Apple talk to the media and get more attention. The only thing about Google is that they just keep on making money through advertising, and this company will survive for a long period of time. This year I'm sure you will hear another unicorn product from Google most likely that eye embedded technology thing.

 

[iamgalt]

Really? This is what google is selling? I half expect to find something like this in a box of cereal. I understand that they're going for affordability, but I think Google needs to learn the difference between affordable and cheap.

 

[Jmacc]

I have a pair of these and they are total ***** landfill. Lenses are not even near in focus, phone holding scheme is shoddy. Get one for your curio cabinet, next to the windup monkey on a tricycle.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Curiosity killed the cat so I bought a pair on Amazon, because, you know, Prime. I downloaded a HD sample and it's so ironic that the source is HD but the lenses remind me of the magnifying lens prize from a Cracker Jack box. Of course it was just something to sate my curiosity, no real need for them, not like I'd actually use them if the lenses were improved. My question is, aside from the novelty, why are they being so heavily promoted by Google? It's a kids toy.

 

[JosephAW]

I purchased the Mattel view master vr at Walmart for $19.95 in the toy department.
Works great with my iPhone 6 iOS 8. Even with my slim otter box case.
No strap to keep it on but solid construction. No pass thru for power but works great with my Bluetooth headphones.
It has a side button which taps the screen with a stylus to advance and click things.
Not a lot of decent vr content but for $20 you can't go wrong.
Google's app demo is really cool. Look for apps that scan qr code so lense setup is for Mattel.

http://www.view-master.com/en-us

 

[nagromme]

Google Cardboard works great with my 6+. But forget these paper units: compatible plastic headsets are all over Amazon for cheap. Just get one with a QR calibration code and a touch button.

 

[jozero]

Isn't Google IO in 1 week ? Rumours are its VR focused. Perhaps they will release a quality headset and this is just to get rid of inventory.

 

[kaolin]

I purchased the Mattel view master vr at Walmart for $19.95 in the toy department.

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of the viewmaster vr myself. Good timing on this announcement for me, though, just released a VR game yesterday.