Rather than use a dedicated screen and processor, Cardboard relies on an affordable shell with specialized lenses, using your iPhone to do the heavy lifting. Want to give it a shot? Here’s how to get up and running with Google Cardboard. While the experience isn’t nearly as immersive or interactive as on those other platforms-let alone PC-based headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive-it can still provide cool, 360-degree multimedia experiences.Ĭardboard’s ecosystem isn’t as fully formed on iPhone as it is on its original home OS of Android, but there are still plenty of apps available to try. Google Cardboard is an entry-level take on mobile VR, and it lets you strap your existing phone into a cheap, portable viewer and then pop it on your face.
And while Samsung’s top phones have the Gear VR headset and some Android phones support Google’s Daydream platform, there’s nothing of comparable quality for the iPhone.īut there is a lower-end alternative that works across iPhone and Android phones, and it might not cost you much of anything. Editor’s note: This article was updated on Augwith up-to-date pricing information and app details.ĭespite rumors across the years, Apple still hasn’t made a virtual reality move of its own.
