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You might be able to sort-of see today’s eclipse through Google Cardboard

As great as today’s solar eclipse will be, you need special eye protection in order to properly view the it without doing moderate damage to your retina. There are a few different ways to go about this, but one way to do so — although definitely not ideal — could be with a phone, Google Cardboard, and a virtual reality camera capture app from the Play Store…


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You can now explore the wonders of the ancient city of Petra with Google Cardboard

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Petra is an ancient city found in southern Jordan that is known for its architecture. What’s unique about the city is that all of the buildings and water systems were carved right into the surrounding rocks. Last year, Google released a virtual tour of the city within Maps but now they have created a full 360-degree experience for Cardboard.


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The ‘Bohemian Rhapsody Experience’ Google was showing at I/O is now available for all

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Seth and I got to experience a really cool VR music video earlier this year at Google I/O 2016, but at that point the only way to see it was to… be at Google I/O. The version they were showing was an unfinished ‘prototype,’ if you will. Now, anyone with a relatively-capable Android phone can see what we saw, and those with an iPhone will be getting access soon…


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Google is reportedly still working on a standalone mixed reality Daydream successor

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A Google I/O 2014 attendee wearing a Project Tango/Cardboard hybrid

A report from Recode a few days ago said that a project in Google X to create a “high-end standalone” VR headset was recently cancelled in favor of more focus on Android — and, specifically, the Mountain View company’s new Daydream platform. Now, another report (via Engadget) says that Google is indeed still working on a standalone headset, albeit one “that blurs the line between virtual reality and augmented reality.”


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Curious mention of ‘Google Cardboard’ in Pokemon Go could hint at future VR features

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It goes without saying that Pokemon Go is blasting off, but what’s keeping the hype from already waning is the fact that there is so much more to come. The original trailer shown off last year touted the ability to trade and battle Pokemon with other players, and those features are almost certainly already in the works, but how else could we see the game evolve in the coming months?

If you want to make a not-so farfetch’d guess based on the Licenses page in the app, VR features in the form of Google Cardboard could be in the cards…


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President Obama impressed with his virtual reality experience using a Galaxy S7

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We’ve seen Google Cardboard and other virtual reality solutions put to use in a variety of situations thus far, and now President Obama has gotten to experience the technology for the first time. As detailed by Inverse, Obama was in Hannover, Germany recently touring a technology trade show and had the opportunity to try out a virtual reality headset made by PMD paired with a Galaxy S7 and an “external 3D camera to provide both digital immersion and reality alteration.”


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Your next McDonald’s Happy Meal box might also double as a virtual reality viewer

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It turns out anything can be made into a Cardboard-like virtual reality viewer. Following Coca-Cola’s experiment to convert a 12-pack case of Cokes into a viewer is a similar attempt from McDonald’s. For a limited time, stores in Sweden will be selling Happy Meal boxes that can turn into a VR viewer for smartphones.


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Google Cardboard helps a woman see for the first time in 8 years

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Cardboard is built on very basic optic principles and with simple materials. It has been used to provide various virtual reality experiences, games, and has even been used in hospitals to provide 3D analysis without the need for expensive equipment. Now, Cardboard has helped a blind woman see for the first time in years.


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Google Cardboard updated to support precise spatial audio for enhanced VR experiences

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Yesterday a report came out claiming that Google is forming their own virtual reality division to compete with the likes of Oculus. Perhaps coincidentally, today Google is updating its Cardboard platform with audio features found on more expensive VR headsets. One new feature, the addition of spatial audio, will allow developers to create more engrossing virtual worlds.


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Google Cardboard isn’t just a $20 toy, it’s being used in hospitals to save lives

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Google’s virtual reality offering is doing more than just providing users a new way to watch videos and game. According to a new report from the NY Daily News, surgeons recently used Google Cardboard to help repair the lungs and heart of a four-month-old child. Teegan Lexcenher was born with half a heart and one lungs and her parents were initially told that she couldn’t be operated on, until Cardboard come into the picture..


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Google’s latest 360-degree interactive Spotlight Story is a Santa-based thriller by Wallace & Gromit creators

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It’s a little over two years since Motorola launched Spotlight Player, an app that could be used to view a 360-degree interactive animation. Initially limited to the Moto X before being rolled out to other Android devices, you move your smartphone up, down, left and right to choose which part of the scene to view – and can also view through Google Cardboard.

Google held onto the team when it sold Motorola to Lenovo, and it has now launched Special Delivery, a holiday-themed Spotlight Story from Aardman Animations, the creators of Wallace & Gromit. While you have to pay for some stories, this one is free as a holiday gift from Google …


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Google Store giving away free Star Wars-themed Cardboard VR viewers

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Update: To be out of stock they appear.

Update 2: The Cardboard viewers are back in the store. I was able to get one as of 12PM PST.

As we come to the weekend before Star Wars: The Force Awakens arrives, the movie tie-ins are hitting even harder. The Google Store is giving away free Star Wars-themed Cardboard viewers to anybody who wants one


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PSA: Verizon customers can get a free Star Wars-themed Cardboard viewer on Wednesday in stores

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Starting tomorrow, Verizon carrier stores will be offering a free Star Wars-themed Google Cardboard viewer. Verizon’s page mentions that the offer is only available to Verizon customers, but whether that mean subscribers or just anybody shopping in the store is unclear.

This is part of a larger promotional campaign between the carrier, Google, and Disney. The viewers are meant to be used to watch the Star Wars virtual reality experience that is coming out on the same day. According to Lucasfilm, the experience will tie directly into the beginning of The Force Awakens. If you already have a Cardboard viewer, be sure to download the Star Wars Android and iOS app to watch the VR video.

Four versions of the viewers are up for grabs, with a BB-8, R2D2, Kylo Ren, and Stormtropper design on the front and Verizon branding on the side. Supplies are limited and expect Star Wars fans to be the first to try and get what will certainly end up being a collectible item. Do comment below if you are successful in getting one.

Google keeps the Star Wars goodies coming, with Google Cardboard VR on the way

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Google’s partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney to promote the new Star Wars movie has already seen everything from themed backgrounds in Gmail to an X-Wing marking your position in Google Maps, but the company is not done yet.

Searching for ‘a long time ago in a galaxy far far away’ leads to a great Easter egg, where the results are shown Star Wars intro style. It’s not just a dumb graphic, it’s the real search results, and each is clickable.

And there are Google Cardboard VR experiences (and custom viewers) coming soon … 
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YouTube now supports VR video, app updated with Google Cardboard support

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YouTube announced today that it’s bringing two new features to its popular video-viewing service. Perhaps the most important of the two updates is that YouTube now supports VR Video. That means people can upload full virtual reality experience videos which have an added depth versus the regular two-dimensional flat video. Objects that are near look close, those further away seem far.


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Opinion: I’m now a VR believer, and Google’s Tilt Brush app is particularly breathtaking

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Late last week, I got a chance to give HTC Vive a test run at the Big Android BBQ in Hurst, Texas. I feel almost ashamed to say this, but I hadn’t even touched virtual reality at all — besides Google Cardboard, of course — until Friday. And while this probably doesn’t come as much of a surprise to those out there that have already played with devices like Oculus and Vive in the past, I’m absolutely, completely, thoroughly, fully, a believer in virtual reality. Here’s how it went down…
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Google and Legendary release Cardboard VR experiences for Warcraft, Pacific Rim, and Crimson Peak

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Legendary Pictures is debuting its new Warcraft movie today, slated for a June 2016 theatrical release at San Diego Comic-Con. The company has partnered with Google to create a new app with virtual reality experiences based on the upcoming film as well as Crimson Peak, in theaters in October, and 2013’s Pacific Rim. To make sure people give it a spin and get excited for the new films, Legendary will also be giving out 50,000 branded Google Cardboard units (pictured above) throughout the expo this week.


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