Google Cardboard in Walnut: A 21st Century Stereopticon?
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Google Cardboard converts a Smart Phone into a 3D viewing device.

Photo By Google Cardboard

Google has developed a cardboard viewer allowing users to turn their smart phone into a Virtual Reality and 3D viewing device. Called Google Cardboard, the viewer could present a wood manufacturing business opportunity - similar to the multi-million dollar business segment that developed around wood cases for iPads and iPhones.

Glenn Stevens made a walnut Google Cardboard Bearing some resemblance to a View-Master - the children's plastic 3D viewing device - users lay their phone into Cardboard along with other components that generates a 3D view. At its developers conference, Google this week expanded the line for Cardboard to accommodate the trend to larger phones, along with developments of specialized cameras for taking 360 degree videos and images.

Google doesn't manufacture Cardboard, but simply places the template online for anyone to download. It has a do-it-yourself template, and another kit intended for branded mass production.

At its Cardboard site, Google lists a half-dozen companies who have entered commercial production of Cardboard - notably DodoCase, one of the most successful manufacturers of wood products accessories for smart phones.

Here's how Google describes its Cardboard.

Google Cardboard brings immersive experiences to everyone in simple and affordable way. Whether you fold your own or buy a Works with Google Cardboard certified viewer, you're just one step away from experiencing virtual reality on your smartphone.

The new Cardboard was unveiled at Google I/O 2015. It supports larger phones with screens up to 6 inches. It has a new button that works with any phone. And it Google Cardboard in Walnut by Glenn Stevens assembles (and disassembles) in just 3 steps. Like the first Cardboard, it's still about VR for everyone.

Google Cardboard brings immersive experiences to everyone in simple and affordable way. Whether you fold your own or buy a Works with Google Cardboard certified viewer, you're just one step away from experiencing virtual reality on your smartphone.

Whether you’re making ten Cardboard viewers or ten million, the details make the experience. The Manufacturers Kit contains everything we've learned producing Google Cardboard: our recommendations, usage and branding guidelines, and specifications for each and every component, even the rubber band.

Glenn Stevens created the Google Carboard viewers pictured here, using Walnut. For a look at other Google Cardboards, view the slide show.

 

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