Achievers Directory‎ > ‎G‎ > ‎Google‎ > ‎

Cardboard

Google-Cardboard.jpg
Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) platform developed by Google for use with a head mount for a mobile phone. Named for its fold-out cardboard viewer, the platform is intended as a low-cost system to encourage interest and development in VR and AR applications. Users can either build their own viewer from simple, low-cost components using specifications published by Google, or purchase one manufactured by a third-party. The platform was created by David Coz and Damien Henry, Google engineers at the Google Cultural Institute in Paris, in their 20% "Innovation Time Off". It was introduced at the Google I/O 2014 developers conference for Android devices, with a release to iOS at the following year's event. Through January 2016, over 5 million Cardboard viewers had shipped and over 1,000 compatible applications had been published.







Website

embedded below larger window  "Get the most use a Host" > Bangkok BPAC Small cost Big Smiles!



About 360 video / photos 


Other third party 360-degree cameras from the likes of Ricoh Theta, Giroptic, and IC Real Tech are compatible with both YouTube's and Facebook's 360-degree video platforms.

Ways to watch

It's possible to enjoy 360-degree videos on any connected device, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and desktops.

What matters more than the medium, then, is the portal through which this content can be experienced. As we've already mentioned, the two leading ways to browse, discover, and view this content are YouTube and Facebook. Here's what both have to offer.

YouTube

Regardless of your internet-enabled device, pointing it towards Google's YouTube video service will uncover a fine source of 360-degree video content.

Google enabled the uploading and viewing of 360-degree videos in March 2015, which means that there's a good six months worth of material available for the enjoying.

At first it made this facility available to Android and web users, while iOS support followed in May. The YouTube mobile app on your smartphone or tablet is arguably the best 'regular' way to sample 360 degree video, due to integrated support and intuitive (if a little strenuous) motion-based perspective controls. Just raise, lower, and rotate your phone to alter your view accordingly.

360 video


Web support isn't quite so good for a couple of reasons. One is that only certain web browsers support such content. Chrome and Opera are compatible, for example, whilst Safari and Firefox are not. The perspective controls are also less immersive, and involve clicking and dragging on the video whilst it's playing, rather like a moving version of Google Street View.

Arguably the best way to experience YouTube's 360-degree content, however, is through Google Cardboard. The company's cheap and cheerful VR system is the method Google officially endorses, enabling you to feel like you're inside the video (albeit constrained to a fixed position), tilting your head to look around each scene.

Whichever method you use, there is a handy hub for 360-degree video content on the YouTube service, which you'll find by clicking here.

Google Cardboard

Facebook

Facebook is the other major portal through which 360-degree video content can be enjoyed, though it came to the game far later than Google.

The social network added 360-degree video, with the help of its Oculus VR team, back in September on Android and the web. iOS support was added in November.

It works in exactly the same way as YouTube's implementation, with exactly the same restrictions in terms of the input differences between its mobile app and web implementations. You can simply tilt your phone or tablet to modify your view, whilst you need to click and drag on the web.

Speaking of which, there are the same web browser compatibility limitations when using a computer to view Facebook's 360-degree video content. Stick with Chrome and you'll be fine.


360 video


Unlike Google's YouTube implementation, however, there's no Google Cardboard support on the VR side. Rather, Facebook recently opened out support to Samsung's Gear VR ahead of the inevitable support from its own Oculus Rift when that launches early in 2016.

If you're looking to source 360-degree content on Facebook, try searching for #360video from the Facebook page or app, or head directly to the 360 Video on Facebook account.

Examples

The best way to convince you of the potential of 360-degree videos is to show you a few examples. So, here are a few choice selections from YouTube.

Remember - in order to view these properly you'll need to be using a compatible web browser. We recommend Chrome or Opera.


NOTE: if you can not rotate view in this window use external link

Want to get a real impression of the hair-raising speed of a modern F1 car? We haven't seen many better examples than this video.



NOTE: if you can not rotate view in this window use external link

This video shows off one of the best and most natural applications of 360-degree video technology. A cockpit view from a jet plane offers great views on all sides from a natural 'static' position.


NOTE: if you can not rotate view in this window use external link

360-degree videos are really taking off in the world of extreme sports, and it's easy to see why. Check out this wingsuit effort. And remember to breathe.


NOTE: if you can not rotate view in this window use external link

Journey through the Death Star, sneak up on Darth Vader and slip through a series of Stormtroopers. Star Wars in 360 is amazing.




Get your goggles






Subpages (1): get goggles
Comments