How to Use Google Cardboard: A Beginner's Guide

Virual Reality devices are slowly gaining prominence, with various big companies launching their very own VR devices. While Samsung'southward Gear VR, Oculus Rift, Sony Playstation VR and HTC Vive are the ones gaining all the fame, Google Cardboard is the well-nigh affordable and easily bachelor. We are new to the virtual reality earth, then it's not a surprise that all of usa aren't that well acquainted with Google Cardboard and its working. Since Google is supposed to be unveiling a new VR headset before long, information technology's important that you know everything well-nigh Google Cardboard. Well, that'south what we are here for! Hither'south everything you need to know about Google Cardboard:

What is Google Cardboard?

Google Cardboard 1

Google Paper-thin is a virtual and augmented reality platform that lets you turn your smartphone to a VR device through a viewer at an affordable price tag. The Google Cardboard is congenital using low cost components and a folded cardboard viewer and thus, the proper name. The VR and AR device features a compartment where you can set up your Android smartphone or iPhone and then view through the lenses. You can then open compatible apps and view various virtual reality content. The lenses bring y'all a 3D image with a wide range of view, making you feel that you are within the interface.

Things to Note

The Cardboard'south reference design from Google packs in these parts:

Foldable cardboard viewer
Ii 45 mm plastic lenses
Claw and Loop fastener like Velcro for head-straps
Rubber bands
Magnet or capacitive record to interact with the smartphone display
Optional NFC tag

Google Cardboard 2

Where to purchase one?

The Google Cardboard reference design features a cardboard build but you can purchase various third party viewers featuring premium designs and build quality. We'd recommend you to buy a Google Cardboard from the Google Go Cardboard folio, where the company has listed the various third party viewers available. You lot can buy a Google Cardboard for every bit low as $17 and as high equally $50.

Moreover, you can even become ahead and build your very own Google Cardboard device. To practise that, y'all will accept to download the Google Paper-thin manufacturers kit (starts downloading on click), where Google has listed the procedure and everything you demand to build your very own VR device.

Getting Started: How to gear up up?

To set up a make new Google Cardboard, you will need to have an Android smartphone running Android 4.1 or higher or an iPhone. To start experiencing virtual reality, you will have to download a Paper-thin uniform VR app. At the beginning, we volition recommend you lot the official Google Paper-thin app on the Play Store or iTunes.

Google Cardboard

When the app is starting time opened, it will ask you to scan the QR code on your Google Cardboard to detect compatibility and calibrate the lens blazon to meet your smartphone. Once washed, the app will divide your display into two parts. And then, put your Android smartphone or iPhone in the Google Cardboard compartment and mountain information technology to your confront.

Google Cardboard 3

Notation: If your Android smartphone comes with NFC support, the Google Cardboard's NFC tag detects it when the smartphone is put in and launches the Google Cardboard app automatically. If you want to disable this, just plow off NFC on your smartphone.

How to operate Google Cardboard?

Once you have mounted Google Cardboard to your face with the Cardboard app open on your device, yous will be presented with various Paper-thin demos and more. The iPhone app only includes demos like Tutorial, Explorer, Exhibit, Urban Hike, Kaleidoscope and Welcome Video. However, the Android app features Cardboard demos, 360 Video Channel (spotter videos created for VR), Cardboard Camera (take 360 caste virtual reality photos) and a elementary game designed for VR. The app also features a section of "Get Apps" where y'all will discover VR compatible apps. The app also supports Google Street VR, and then yous tin can view any landmark in virtual reality. Different the iPhone app, the Google cardboard app on Android features unlike and libation demos like Earth, Tour Guide, My Videos, Exhibit and Photo Sphere.

Google Cardboard 4

Here are a few important points to remember while operating Google Cardboard:

Movement your head left or right or in a circumvolve to navigate effectually.
Select an option past aiming at an option and pressing the magnet push situated at the left side of the device.
To go the main menu whatever fourth dimension, tilt the Cardboard 90 degrees to your right.

Some Beginner Tips to know

If you have just bought a make new Google Cardboard viewer, hither are some tips to follow:

1. Capture and view VR photos

Cardboard Camera

Google recently released a Paper-thin Photographic camera app for Android, which lets you capture VR friendly panoramic photos with depth and sound. Yous can view those captured photos in the Google Cardboard viewer and relive the cute moments in VR.

2. Use Street View in VR mode

Google's Street View app comes with Google Cardboard integration, so you can feel the globe famous landmarks with ease. But select a landmark of your pick and tap the Paper-thin icon on the elevation right to enter the VR mode. The app volition then divide the display, and so put your smartphone in the Cardboard viewer and experience the landmarks, as if you are at that place.

3. Use a Bluetooth controller

At that place are various absurd games that are uniform with Google Cardboard VR but playing them through motion sensors tin brand you feel uneasy. Also, some games are not and so easy to play with the magnet button. And then, if you are serious almost VR gaming, yous should get a Bluetooth controller. To use a Bluetooth controller, you will need to have your hands free, then make sure that your Google Cardboard head-straps are tight plenty.

4. Conserve Battery

Playing VR games or watching VR content tin can really have a price on your smartphone's bombardment, so it'southward important you conserve some battery. The best idea is to put your smartphone into Aeroplane mode, then that any network activities don't drain your bombardment in addition to your VR activities. As well, make sure to download the VR content beforehand to view them fifty-fifty when you are offline.

v. Identify your phone correctly

It's important that y'all place your smartphone correctly in the Google Cardboard viewer otherwise the magnetic button does non work. Always make sure that the caput of the smartphone is towards the left of the Cardboard holder.

6. Apply a Hinge Chair

We'd not recommend you to use the Google Cardboard while y'all are in public places because you might cause an blow. If y'all are at home, we'd suggest you lot to use a hinge chair while enjoying the VR experiences on Paper-thin considering it requires a lot of circling and moving around and with a swivel chair, y'all can easily spin around.

Compatible devices

Sadly, not all Android smartphones are uniform with the Google Paper-thin app. Just smartphones featuring a magnetometer or compass sensor piece of work with the device, which is understandable because the VR device uses a magnet every bit the button. So, be sure to check if your smartphone comes with a magnetometer or not.

SEE As well: x Alternatives to the Oculus Rift

Ready to experience virtual reality through Google Paper-thin?

Virtual Reality is still in a budding stage only thanks to Google Cardboard, you lot tin can experience it easily without making a hole in your wallet. There are enough of Cardboard options to choose from and while the apps are less in number, they are entertaining nonetheless. There are various apps, games and cool videos that surely take y'all to a whole new world. Be careful though, as longer usage of Google Paper-thin does crusade motion sickness. And then, have you bought a Google Cardboard? If yeah, how has the experience been like? Allow us know in the comments section beneath.