What about the VR glasses made of cardboard, carboards?

Google Cardboard was developed by Google as a platform for virtual reality (VR). Cardboards were developed in all colors and shapes and were popular giveaways at trade shows about 10 years ago.

After the discontinuation of direct support from Google, the Google Cardboard community has continued to develop activities to keep the platform alive. Developers and companies have launched their own versions of Cardboard-like VR headsets, building on the original concept.

Although Google Cardboard is no longer actively supported by Google, it remains a low-cost entry-level option for VR experiences and continues to be used by some users and developers.

Furthermore, there are still many cheap VR glasses made of plastic that smartphones can be inserted into. These glasses usually have the same limitations as the Cardboards made of cardboard. If they see a VR goggle under €300 on sale on Amazon, it is probably a Cardboard of some sort. Autonomous all-in-one VR glasses with position tracking and controllers usually cost more money.

Advantages and disadvantages of using Google Cardboard for VR

Pros:

• Affordability: Google Cardboard is relatively inexpensive compared to other VR headsets on the market. It can be a low-cost entry point for those who want to try VR without having to invest in expensive equipment.
• Device compatibility: Google Cardboard is compatible with a wide range of smartphones, both Android and iOS devices. This allows for broader accessibility and ease of use.
• Portability and lightness: The Cardboard headset is lightweight and portable, so it's easy to take with you and use in different places. It's a convenient option for VR experiences on the go.
• Easy setup: Google Cardboard setup is simple and does not require complex configurations. Assembling the headset and connecting it to a smartphone usually involves basic steps and does not require extensive technical knowledge.
• Accessible content: There is a wide variety of content available for Google Cardboard across different VR apps and platforms. Many developers are creating experiences specifically for Cardboard that allow users to explore various virtual environments, games, and educational content.

Contra:

• Limited immersion and quality: Google Cardboard offers a modest VR experience compared to high-end headsets. Using a smartphone as a display limits the level of immersion and visual quality. The overall experience is not very immersive and realistic due to lower resolution and limited tracking capabilities.
• Lack of advanced features: Google Cardboard does not offer the advanced features found in more sophisticated VR systems, such as motion control or integrated sensors for precise tracking. Interaction with the virtual environment can be limited to head movements and a single button on the Cardboard device. Cardboards are therefore more suitable for 360° videos suitable.
• Comfort and durability: Although lightweight and portable, a Cardboard is not the most comfortable option for longer VR sessions. In addition, the materials used to build Cardboard do not offer long-term durability.
• Compatibility limitations: Although Google Cardboard is compatible with a wide range of smartphones, certain older or less powerful devices may have difficulty running VR content smoothly. The experience may vary depending on the phone's performance, screen resolution, and gyroscope capabilities. This means that the user experience will be quite different depending on the phone used.
• Limited field of view: Google Cardboard generally offers a narrower field of view compared to high-end VR headsets. Keyword tunnel vision

Conclusion:

Mixed feelings about the Cardboard

It offers an easy entry point without a huge hardware cost to experience VR.... but wait is it really VR? There are no controllers, so user interaction options are very limited. A cardboard might be a good idea if you're 360° Video Content want to distribute, which does not offer much interaction. However, this solution is not worth it. Nor is it said that your audience will take the time to use the Cardboard. For this, you also need a suitable app on your smartphone. We recommend the Cardboard as a possible extension of 360° video content. At trade shows or at the point of sale, you should always go for high-quality VR headsets, such as the Quest or the Pico 4 reach. The quality of the presentation and also the ergonomics of the glasses play too big a role in the user experience of a VR presentation to compete with cheap, inferior solutions.

Cardboard VR from yesterday

Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that the innovation factor in Cardboards has long since fizzled out. When virtual reality (VR) was still young around 2015 and many people didn't know what this technology was, the Cardboard was an easy way to give newcomers an insight into the technology.

Today, the use of cardboards should be well thought through with regard to their limitations.