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Google Cardboard

Just bought myself a Google Cardboard viewer. If you've never heard of Google Cardboard then basically it's a relatively cheap and simple way for a user to experience virtual reality. The viewer was purchased on Amazon for £10.99 and took me about 5 mins to assemble. The duck tape is you can see in the photos is just there to strengthen some areas. You download the Google Cardboard app to your smartphone, calibrate it to the viewer via a QR code and it's ready to use. Your smartphone is inserted into the back of the viewer, and the display is split into two images (one for each eye). The result is a stereoscopic 3D image. It reminds me a little of the ViewMaster toy I loved as a child! But Google Cardboard brings that idea up to date, allowing you to take your own 360 degree images. Move your head to the left or right, or turn around to see the whole scene. I've been taking 360 degree photos via my Android smartphone for some time, and viewed through this they become very immersive. The Google Cardboard Camera app also allows you to quickly take a 360 degree panorama which can then be viewed through this.

Educational uses? Well I've only had it for a couple of hours but I could imagine visiting some historic buildings and taking a 360 panorama with the Cardboard Camera and reliving the visit back in the classroom. What can you see around you? The app also records the sound too. Viewing Google Street View through the viewer looks great. Could be helpful with your studies on the locality, or a contrasting locality. I've just viewed the area around the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the northern lights in Finland!




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