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[[File:Google Cardboard.png|thumb|right|300px|A Google Cardboard V2 headset showing a phone in it and lying open]]

[[File:Google Cardboard.png|thumb|A Google Cardboard V2 headset showing a phone in it and lying open]]

[[Google Cardboard]] is a DIY, cardboard cut-out, VR smartphone mount developed by [[Google]]. With a smartphone inserted, Google Cardboard enables a user to have a [[virtual reality]] experience by holding the headset up close to the user's eyes. It uses the [[3DOF tracking]] of the smartphone that is inserted. It was announced at Google I/O on June 25, 2014.

[[Google Cardboard]] is a DIY, cardboard cut-out, [[smartphone VR viewer]] from [[Google]]. It uses the [[3DOF tracking]] of the smartphone that is inserted. It was announced at Google I/O on June 25, 2014.

Google Cardboard requires a smartphone with stereoscopic display software, meaning it splits the phone screen into two parts, one for each eye. The headset is mostly carboard, and has lenses, a magnet, a piece of hook-and-loop fastener and a rubber band. With no official manufacturer, Google has listed the schematics and instructions for the device on its website. Users can either construct one themselves or purchase them from a number of unofficial vendors.

Google Cardboard requires a smartphone with stereoscopic display software, which splits the phone screen into two parts, one for each eye. The Version 1 headset is mostly cardboard, and has lenses, a magnet, a piece of hook-and-loop fastener and a rubber band. With no official manufacturer, Google has listed the schematics and instructions for the gadget on its website. Users can build one themselves or purchase them from a number of vendors.

Version 2 of Google Cardboard was released on May 28, 2015. It supports larger smartphones and replaced the magnetic ring with a universal input button.

Version 2 of Google Cardboard was released on May 28, 2015. It supports larger smartphones and replaced the magnetic ring with a universal input button.

==Kits==

==Kits==

===Version 1===

===Version 1===

The core of Google Cardboard is a folded piece of cardboard cutout. The cardboard container serves to mount your smartphone in front of your eyes similar to a set of goggles. Two circular lenses are placed in front of where your eyes should be and used to concentrate your field of view to create immersion. User can slide one of the two magnets placed at the side of the device to interact with the smartphone through the magnetometer. Additionally, an NFC tag can be placed in the device to allow the smartphone app to know when it should be in VR mode and when it should not.

The core of Google Cardboard is a folded piece of cardboard cutout. The cardboard container serves to mount your smartphone in front of your eyes similar to a set of goggles. Two circular lenses are placed in front of where your eyes should be and used to concentrate your field of view to create immersion. User can slide one of the two magnets placed at the side of the gadget to interact with the smartphone through the magnetometer. Additionally, an NFC tag can be placed in the gadget to allow the smartphone app to know when it should be in VR mode and when it should not.

====Parts====

====Parts====

===Version 2===

===Version 2===

Announced and released on May 28, 2015 during [[Google I/O 2015]]. It improved upon the original design by allowing smartphone with screens as large as 6 inches to fit inside. Additionally, it replaced the magnetic ring with a universal input button made out of conductive foam. The button uses an interior hinge mechanism to tap the phone's screen as if you are tapping it with your finger. The new button not only works with every phone but also frees up the phone's magnetometer for drift correction. The new Cardboard can be assembled in 3 steps instead of 12, making it easier to build.

Announced and released on May 28, 2015 during [[Google I/O 2015]]. It expands upon the original design by allowing smartphone with screens as large as 6 inches diagonal 16:9 to fit inside. Additionally, it replaced the magnetic ring with a universal input button made out of conductive foam. The button uses an interior hinge mechanism to tap the phone's screen as if you are tapping it with your finger. The button works with every phone and also frees up the phone's magnetometer for drift correction. The new Cardboard can be assembled in 3 steps instead of 12, making it easier to build.

==Apps==

==Apps==

===iOS Apps===

===iOS Apps===

===Access Cardboard Apps with Other HMDs===

===Access Cardboard Apps with Other HMDs===

===Cardboard SDK for Unity===

===Cardboard SDK for Unity===

[[Cardboard SDK for Unity]] allows the user to use [[Unity]] to create an VR world from scratch, adapt an existing Unity 3D app or build an app that can effortlessly switch between VR and non-VR modes. Unity support for iOS was announced on May 28, 2015 during the Google I/O 2015.

[[Cardboard SDK for Unity]] enables a user to use [[Unity]] to create a VR world from scratch, adapt an existing Unity 3D app or build an app that can effortlessly switch between VR and non-VR modes. Unity support for iOS was announced on May 28, 2015 during Google I/O 2015.

==History==

==History==

'''May 28, 2015''': [[YouTube]]'s [[360 Videos]] will support Cardboard.  

'''May 28, 2015''': [[YouTube]]'s [[360 Videos]] will support Cardboard.  

'''November 7, 2015''': New York Times shipped over 1 million Google Cardboard to their subscribers. In addition to Cardboard, Times also released a VR App on November 5th and a series of VR films.

'''November 7, 2015''': New York Times shipped over 1 million Google Cardboard to their subscribers. In addition to Cardboard, Times also released a VR app on November 5th and a series of VR films.

'''January 13, 2016''': [[Spatial audio]] is supported by [[Cardboard SDK for Android]] and [[Cardboard SDK for Unity|Unity]]<ref>http://googledevelopers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/spatial-audio-comes-to-cardboard-sdk.html</ref>

'''January 13, 2016''': [[Spatial audio]] is supported by [[Cardboard SDK for Android]] and [[Cardboard SDK for Unity|Unity]]<ref>http://googledevelopers.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/spatial-audio-comes-to-cardboard-sdk.html</ref>

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[[Category:Virtual reality headsets]]

[[Category:VR headsets]]

[[Category:Twosight gadget viewers]]