First impressions of Google Cardboard - a simple and cheap virtual reality headset

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

In the bowels of Google lies a lot of experimental developments, some of which are not destined to gain popularity, and some, on the contrary, will become an icon for users and a source of pride for the Internet giant. What is the fate of Cardboard? The answer to this question is ambiguous, because a virtual reality helmet has both significant advantages and important disadvantages. What will win - time will tell. In the meantime, I want to share my first impressions of acquaintance with Google Cardboard.

Still not familiar with Cardboard and do not know what it is eaten with? Read Lifehacker's introductory article about this unusual device.

Purchase and assembly

Why did Google show the world about Cardboard? It is not known for certain, but a stinging mockery of competitors is definitely taking place. Judge for yourself: while Oculus, Valve, Samsung, Microsoft, Sony, Razer and others sell their virtual reality sets for tens and hundreds of dollars, the corporation of goodness offers to make their simplified analogue with their own hands for mere pennies.

But the enthusiasm for the generous gesture of Google employees begins to evaporate as soon as you familiarize yourself with the scheme of cutting and assembling glasses. Not every "crazy hands" will cope with this task, because the number and accuracy of the proposed operations causes a nervous twitching of the eyelid. Moreover, the matter is not limited to working with a cutter and cardboard - you need to run in search of mounts (although a simple elastic band will do), magnets (optional) and, most importantly, lenses. Only true enthusiasts can complete the entire quest from "A" to "Z".

It seems to me that the game is not worth the candle, so it's easier to pay Uncle Liao a couple of American money and, after waiting for a while, get your hands on a complete set. Check out Chinese e-commerce shelves for Cardboard helmets. I bought at. There I came across a very good seller who, for $ 2, 70, literally assembled a package within a couple of days and sent it to me. As it turned out later, everything came in good condition: the cardboard was not wrinkled, the magnets had sufficient strength, and the lenses were free from flaws. If anyone is interested, I can share a link in a private conversation.

If your pocket does not feel lost $ 20-30, then it makes sense to purchase a cardboard in a better performance. Foreign and domestic online stores use only high-quality cardboard, their helmets sometimes have crazy designs, they are equipped with improved mounts and lenses, have an NFC sticker, and also allow you to adjust the position of the optics. The latter is of the utmost importance as the gaze must pass through the centers of both lenses. The quality of the visual effects and the safety of the helmet for your vision depend on this. The choice is yours.

Let's go to the assembly. Hook hands and a lack of spatial thinking forced me to resort to the help of YouTube, where you can easily find installation instructions for the device. In truth, the procedure is simple and, having performed it once, the second time you will repeat the actions already mechanically.

And a little more self-flagellation. In my case, numbers were prudently printed on the cardboard, which needed to be connected. But even this "childish" approach did not help me immediately figure out how to do it.:) Hope you are luckier and smarter.

I dare assume that you don't need to glue, tape or use staples. The design is quite normal due to the connection of the elements and fastening with a regular rubber band. I have read complaints about lenses falling out of the helmet, but the reason for this is clearly too thin cardboard. In my case, he coped with the task. The magnets also showed their best side: they reliably adhered to each other through the partition, which means that the only "control button" of the helmet worked properly.

Technical highlights

Сardboard can be called a universal platform that can fit almost any modern phone. Of course, it is desirable that its diagonal is from 5 to 5.5 inches. In this case, the screen resolution and ppi value are important - the more, the better. Why? Imagine, you usually look at the phone screen from a distance of at least 30 centimeters. In this case, the human eye is simply unable to distinguish between its individual pixels. But when you insert the smartphone into the helmet and bring it closer to your eyes at a distance of 5 centimeters under the magnification, then small squares begin to be clearly seen here. And once again I remind you that in cheap Chinese Cardboards you cannot adjust the distance between the lenses, that is, adjust it specifically to your smartphone.

I tested Cardboard with OnePlus One and Meizu MX4. Both devices have excellent modern FullHD-displays, but even on them the picture starts to lose its integrity. Therefore, even more recent developments with 2K screens are preferred.

For comfortable work with applications sharpened for Cardboard, you need to have a magnetometer in your smartphone - a sensor that evaluates changes in the magnetic field. It records the movements of the magnet on the helmet and interprets them as specific commands. But you can do without a magnetometer, although this will make it less convenient.

Of course, NFC does not hurt, with which you can quickly activate any VR application on your smartphone. But it doesn't matter.

Software, content and impressions

Video. Fine. But only if you are playing special 3D videos. You can find them on YouTube or thematic resources on the Web. The sensations are somewhat deeper than from the already familiar to us watching a volumetric film in the cinema. This is probably due to isolation from surrounding objects and people, with solitude in a completely darkened area. Until now, my heart sanks when I remember the python, who paid close attention to me.

I also note that the adult film industry has found its own pioneers who use special equipment for shooting hot POV. This is not to say that this approach completely transforms the genre, but the fresh breath is definitely present, and the interest is increasing.

Separately, I will also mention the few concert videos that can be found in the official appendix. Imagine you are standing on stage with a performer and a group of musicians. Music rumbles, thousands of fans breathe it, and thousands of sparks fly into the air. At the same time, the camera (your eyes) are free to look anywhere: at your feet, at the sky, spectators, drummer or vocalist. It turns out to be extremely atmospheric and exciting.

In the vastness of Google Play, you can find so-called VR-players, supposedly designed specifically for virtual reality. They can pick up common video formats and split the picture into two eyes for viewing on devices like Cardboard. But I did not find anything outstanding in them, the positive effect is minimal. You just get the impression that you are looking at a flat picture, but on a hefty screen. And that's all. If I misunderstood something, please correct me.

As a result, it turns out not bad, but there is one fatal moment: it is simply impossible to watch all the delights of a "live" video for a long time.

Eyes get tired after 10 minutes of viewing.

This is due to the imperfection of the lenses and the wrong position of the eyes in relation to the halves of the screen. Therefore, you will not be able to enjoy the fairy tale for a long time.

Games. It's hard to say. Not being a big fan of mobile toys, I only tried the first thing that came to my hand. It was a kind of dark closet, in which the light went out for no reason, and a flashlight appeared in his hands. Some unpleasant fear crept into my veins immediately, and I left the virtual world.:) Of course, the graphics leave much to be desired, but the feeling of the environment is created quite well.

There is an opportunity to play PC games, but for this you have to be pretty confused with setting up your computer and smartphone. But, according to those who have mastered all the obstacles, completely different impressions come out.

Panoramas. Great! There isn't much to describe. It's a bit boring after the video because of the static. But there will be more choice: museums, cities, volcanoes, jungles and even space.

Attention

All VR content weighs in very well. Stock up on large memory cards and stay on Wi-Fi.

Conclusion

It is foolish to compare the fun of Cardboard with professional crafts in the field of virtual reality, which, both engineering and software, are refined to a deeper, more detailed and high-quality immersion in the best worlds. The cardboard helmet is far from technical perfection and at the same time is short-lived. But it is he who makes it possible to feel for himself and make a general impression of such a popular phenomenon as virtual reality. And most importantly, you do not have to invest heavily or waste your time.

I liked Cardboard. And after it I really wanted to buy something more serious.

Fortunately, Asian (and not only) manufacturers picked up the wave and began to produce better plastic helmets for specific models of smartphones with a wide viewing angle and the ability to adjust the position of the lenses. Their price is about $ 30-50, which is quite acceptable for the average geek. I recommend Cardboard for purchase. For all its shortcomings, this is an interesting trend, an unusual toy and an educational experience.

Still have questions? Ask them in the comments! Don't forget to share your experiences with Cardboard as well.