The main motto of Google is everyone should access the technology. It is not limited to particular people. That’s why they always have a wide variety of plans and prices for their products. When Oculus introduced VR, People thought the access device would be costly. But after Google introduced the Cardboard VR setup, the VR experience cost becomes cheaper. From the base of Cardboard, most of the manufacturers begin to produce affordable VR headsets. Yes, there are some limitations. But you can get the VR experience. They are not standalone devices. But, It can work with your mobiles. After few years of service now Cardboard VR Headsets discontinued in Google Store.
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Virtual Reality real-time usage by People
Virtual Reality or VR to computer technologies that use software to generate realistic images, sounds, and other sensations replicate a real environment. VR simulates the user’s physical presence in this environment by enabling the user to interact with this space and any objects depicted therein using specialized display screens or projectors, and other devices.
VR has been defined as a realistic and immersive simulation of a three-dimensional environment and created using interactive software and hardware experienced or controlled by the body’s movement. A person using VR equipment can typically look around the artificial world, move about in it, and interact with features or items depicted on a screen.
VR artificially creates a sensory experience that can include sight, touch, hearing, and less commonly smell. So it cost a little higher than usual devices. So Google planned to create cheap VR Headsets to experience this technology for the users.
Google VR Cardboard Headset
Google VR Headsets are made of cardboard; they can be bought at meager prices. This type of VR Cardboard price range is starts from $9.00. At the beginning of this launch of Google VR Headset, most consumers bought this device, and it becomes successful as expected.
A big piece of cardboard that they fold up and slap a few lenses in and can be used to turn your phone into a makeshift virtual reality device. There was only one button on the side of the box, and this activates a lever in the inside cardboard, which is basically just a capacitive touch-sensitive lever that touches the screen.
After a Google VR Cardboard headset, they launched Daydream VR Headsets. As technology grew, Google updated the Cardboard Headset accordingly.
Virtual Reality vs. Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality kind of sound like something the same, but that is not true. Augmented reality is when you look at the real world, but it’s augmented with additional information or graphics in your view; now key to this AR concept is that the things are indexed to a location that means they occupy a relevant place in your view, and you can interact with those visuals that are augmenting your view. Most of the AR concepts are real-time useful. Some AR measuring apps are helpful in construction works.
Virtual reality is when the world you’re standing in is replaced with a virtual one with VR Headsets. Everything you see and everything you hear is replaced with something computer-generated that takes you to can be very naturalistic actually.
Why Google Stopped Selling Cardboard VR Headsets?
There is no big reason for Google to stop VR Cardboards, quite simply because Google prefers Augmented Reality. After 7 years, Google stopped selling VR Cardboard Headsets. Recently it was confirmed by Google, and they removed the products from their official Google store.
Due to two main factors, they stopped. First, Google has spent the last few years focused on Augmented reality and has entered a heated battle with Apple, with Google’s AR Core taking on Apple’s AR kit. Second of all, mobile VR is already becoming a remnant of the past. Samsung continues to support Gear VR but has provided no important updates since 2017; standalone VR has taken its place as the affordable form of VR with devices like the Oculus go and Oculus guest. HTC Vive focused on satisfying our wireless VR needs without taking our smartphones.
Alternatives
Google always tries to satisfy their users; after they stopped Google VR Cardboard Headset, Google also shared some alternatives for these devices, likely Maxbox VR, POP! 3.0, Knox V2, Boxglass wood 2.0. You can buy these VR products from https://arvr.google.com/cardboard/get-cardboard/.
Wrap Up
When Google planning to move to new products, they always test new platforms. If you notice, Google recently begins to release 3D AR animals in the Google search. The new AR ideas attract more users, and it doesn’t require any additional device to have an experience. Also, Google recently shutdown the Daydreamview, and it for back after few days. So, We can get confirmation about few things. First of all, AR is the future, and Google plans to focus more on that platform. Even if VR has an audience, It can be replaced with AR in the future. Most of the users already begin to use AR-based apps. What are your thoughts about Google discontinued Cardboard in their official store? Did it affects you or not? Share your thoughts.
Selva Ganesh is the Chief Editor of this Blog. He is a Computer Science Engineer, An experienced Android Developer, Professional Blogger with 8+ years in the field. He completed courses about Google News Initiative. He runs Android Infotech which offers Problem Solving Articles around the globe.
