A lot is happening in the field of special glasses that serve as a computer screen for your head: Google, Microsoft, Sony and Samsung are already working on it. You can already get started with virtual reality: all you need is a smartphone, a pizza box and a few lenses.
Make your own VR glasses
Tip 01: Google Cardboard
The idea of Palmer Luckey's virtual reality glasses Oculus Rift is very simple. Your facial position can be accurately determined via various measuring equipment that can be found in almost every smartphone. This allows the image to react to the movement of your head. Because the image moves with you, you get the feeling that you are really entering a virtual world. Also read: Samsung starts sales of virtual reality glasses Gear VR.
Two Google engineers, David Coz and Damien Henry, came up with a cheap solution to make virtual reality sufficient for everyone. At the Google I/O developer conference in 2014, they presented Google Cardboard: a cardboard headset in which you can place a smartphone. The components for these VR glasses consist of a piece of cardboard, two lenses, two magnets with a diameter of 19 mm, a piece of Velcro and a rubber band. Optionally, you can add an NFC tag to automatically load the Google Cardboard app. Google Cardboard has become a huge success. Hundreds of developers have released apps and games for Google Cardboard and many more luxurious models of Google Cardboard have appeared.
You can download a construction drawing for free via Google and start tinkering yourself. All you need are a few lenses and magnets. You can purchase it from Amazon, eBay or AliExpress.
Tip 02: Pizza box
To make a virtual reality headset, you can use just about any piece of cardboard you can find. We drove past a pizzeria and asked for a clean pizza box. Pizza boxes have a perfect thickness and are easy to work with. Print out the construction drawing, cut the pieces to size and stick the numbers 1 and 2 together. Then stick the drawing on the pizza box and let it dry. When the glue has dried, you can cut or cut the pieces with a box cutter. Do not cut through the red lines, as these lines indicate the fold lines. Once everything is cut out, assemble the parts.
Tip 03: Assemble
Whether you made the Google Cardboard yourself or bought a ready-made one, the building construction remains the same. First take the part you are looking through. Place the lenses with the convex side down where Place lens curved side down stand and fold it shut. Now take the largest part of cardboard and press the magnet into the round hole at the text Fold this flap behind the other and affix the disc magnet to the reverse side. Fold the part with the magnet inwards on top of the magnet plate. Now place the lenses in the largest part and place the partition against it. Fold the right part over it. Fold the part with the two holes towards each other and stick it against the part with the magnet.
Place the second magnet in the hole so that the magnets hold each other. Fold the front part inwards and stick the Velcro in the right places. Launch the Google Cardboard app and place the phone in the headset. Wrap the rubber band around it so that the smartphone cannot fall out and enjoy virtual reality.
Tip 04: Cardboard cloning
Many designs have been created that are inspired by Google Cardboard. These designs all have in common that the smartphone serves as both a screen and a computer. All apps for Google Cardboard also work with the cardboard clones. There are apps that the maker claims only work on one headset, but we haven't come across any in practice that don't work with Google Cardboard.
If you want a slightly more comfortable headset after your experience with the Google Cardboard, the Durovis Dive is a nice improvement. This universal headset is suitable for various smartphones and there is even a version available for tablets. The lenses can be adjusted in different directions. This makes the headset suitable for all eyes and also for users who wear glasses. A thick layer of foam ensures that the headset sits comfortably against the head. A comparable competitor is the Fibrum. In addition to the Fibrum headset, this maker offers a number of very entertaining apps (which of course also work with the Google Cardboard). The Durovis Dive costs 65.50 euros including shipping and the Fibrum about 150 euros.
Tip 05: Samsung Gear VR
One design that stands out above all other cardboard clones is the Samsung Gear VR. This headset originated from the collaboration between Samsung and Oculus VR (the company behind Oculus Rift). Although the Gear VR is very similar to the Google Cardboard concept, this headset contains many extra sensors, so that the movement of the device is detected even better. There is also a touchpad on the side of the headset to control software. The experience exceeds that of Google Cardboard, unfortunately there is also a downside.
This headset only works in combination with the Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. These smartphones quickly cost 700 euros and the headset also costs another 200 euros. You can access the Oculus Store via Oculus Home. Many exclusive games and apps should have appeared in this especially for the Oculus Rift and Gear VR, but almost a year after the launch, the offer is still very meager. If you already own a compatible smartphone and you love Google Cardboard, the Gear VR might be the next step. However, keep in mind that the Samsung Gear VR is a nice gadget, but that it may soon disappear into the closet due to lack of software. Then such a homemade VR headset is actually a lot more fun!
VR apps for Google Cardboard
Tip 06: Cardboard app
In addition to your cardboard headset, you also need the free Cardboard app (also for Android), it's a kind of home screen for your VR headset. For example, you can start Google's services in virtual reality and open other installed VR apps. With Google Earth, for example, you can fly right through Chicago. It is an immense experience and difficult to realize that you are looking through a cardboard box.
You can create a so-called Photo Sphere via the Camera app from Google, which can be downloaded separately. This Camera app stitches photos together so that they can be viewed in virtual reality via the Cardboard app. It's a very strange sensation to suddenly be back at your favorite vacation spot - highly recommended to try. Cardboard also contains the short, entertaining virtual 3D animation film Windy day. If you prefer to watch your own videos, that is also possible on a gigantic virtual screen. Google Cardboard is just a small example of what is possible with virtual reality.
Tip 07: Go Show
In ten years we may not even remember what it was like to 'just' watch a movie on the silver screen. Fortunately, we can go back in time with Go Show (the demo version is available here. This app takes you to a virtual cinema where you decide which film is playing and where you can choose a place to sit down. with a few small actions you can adjust the lighting in the cinema and you can sit back and enjoy your movie.
The developer recommends using mp4 files for the best experience. These may also be so-called SBS (side-by-side) 3D films. It is also possible to watch your favorite YouTube videos on the virtual silver screen. The full version costs 2.17 euros, but we recommend that you try the trial version first to see if your smartphone can handle the app.
Tip 08: Titans of Space
If you love all things universe, Titans of Space is a great educational virtual reality experience. Titans of Space takes you on a space journey through the planets in our solar system. While you are in a spaceship, you get information about the size of planets, the distance from the sun and what materials they are made of. In addition to planets in our own solar system, a number of stars from far beyond our solar system are discussed.
The largest star is compared to our own sun. To illustrate, this star is placed in our own solar system. It gives a unique picture of the immense size of the universe. Control is done via a cursor that you can move via the position of your head. Titans of Space takes up a lot of space on your smartphone, but it is well worth it. The app is free to download from the Play Store and the developer is currently working on a version for Apple's iOS.
Tip 09: Paul McCartney
Something that was always unattainable for most of us, is suddenly conceivable with virtual reality. For example, you can step on stage with the legendary artist Paul McCartney. While you are listening to the song Live and Let Die, you are free to look completely 360 degrees around you.
Not only is the image recorded in 360 degrees, the sound moves with you. This really gives you the impression that you are present at the performance. In addition to the Paul McCartney concert, you can download more so-called cinematic VR videos from Jaunt Inc (also for Android) in the app stores of Google and Apple. In recent years, this company has specialized in recording 360-degree video and audio. Jaunt is currently in talks with several film producers, so we can expect a lot more from this company.
Tip 10: Roller coaster
An experience that should not be missed is a ride on the virtual roller coaster. Dozens of coasters for Google Cardboard can be found in the app stores. We have chosen Dive City Rollercoaster (Android) as an example. The special thing about virtual roller coasters is the lifelike sensation you experience during the ride. This is because your brain uses your vestibular system in combination with visual signals.
Because the image moves along, your brain will be fooled and will activate important reflexes. This allows you to experience the same sensations without the presence of acceleration, and you forget where you really are. Most people grip the back of the chair convulsively and experience the exact same tingling in their stomach while descending! This reflex is believed to be a trigger of the brain to protect the body.
Tip 11: Lamper VR
Also available for Android devices, this simple skill game is probably one of the most addictive games available right now for Google Cardboard. The story revolves around Lamper, a firefly who is on the run because his kingdom is under attack. You take a seat behind Lamper the firefly, as you fly through tunnels with various obstacles. The idea is that you manage to maneuver further and further through the increasingly difficult level. The game is free to download for both iOS and Android.
Tip 12: Caaaaardboard!
Caaaaardboard is one of the few full-fledged games for Google Cardboard. It is a modified version of the basejumping game AaaaaAAaaaAAAaaAAAAaAAAAA!!!. In the game you take place in the body of a futuristic base jumper with the mission to get as many points as possible. Points are earned by hovering as close to buildings as possible, flying through glass panels and with a good landing very close to the landing zone. Gradually you unlock increasingly difficult levels. You can move by tilting your head. Caaaaardboard is a fantastic and very addictive game that lends itself perfectly to virtual reality. The price is 1.59 euros.
More cardboard apps and games
If you can't get enough of Google Cardboard, take a look at this blog. Here you will find many virtual reality apps and games for Google Cardboard, Samsung Gear VR, the Oculus Rift and all kinds of other virtual reality related topics.
