Since announcing their entry into the ultra-low end of the VR market with Cardboard at Google I/O last year, Google has been very solidly working on building the platform into something quite meaningful. With the Cardboard platform open sourced, Google is now working to make sure that all cardboard units made by the multitude of manufacturers are made equal with a new certification process called ‘Works with Cardboard’.
The process of getting the ‘Works with Cardboard’ approval is quite simple for manufacturers. Manufacturers simply supply the focal length, input type, and inter-lens distance for their cardboard unit, and Google will supply a QR code to stick to the headset which users can scan with the Cardboard app, which will make all the necessary adjustments to ensure a smooth VR experience.
There’s been tools added for developers to help them out, with the cardboard SDK updated to take advantage of the new ‘Works with Cardboard’ certification.
Cardboard users will get some great new features too, with new categories being added to the Cardboard apps focus in Google Play. The new categories now include Music and Video, Games, and Experiences – so there’s almost something for everyone.
Google has also announced that there will be improvements to both audio and the user interface side of things for Cardboard in the coming months. Google has purchased two companies: Thrive Audio and Tilt Brush
In addition, we’re thrilled to have the Tilt Brush team join our family. With its innovative approach to 3D painting, Tilt Brush won last year’s Proto Award for Best Graphical User Interface. We’re looking forward to having them at Google, and building great apps together.
For more information on the Works with Cardboard program, you can head on over to the Google Cardboard website.
Notice anything missing from the Google Cardboard site?
Since posing my question, some 11 hours ago, with no answer from anyone, I guess I’ll have to answer it myself.
What is missing from the Works With Cardboard system is the LG VR for G3.
There’s literally dozens upon dozens of companies making Cardboard units – so in that respect there’s nothing to get excited about.
If you look closely as well, there’s also no Volvo Cardboard unit either. The main reason being that you can’t actually buy the LG VR for G3 or the Volvo Cardboard headset – so that’s essentially why.
Dan, the Google pages about Cardboard, and this article, say nothing at all about the necessity of the Cardboard devices needing to be available retail or etail to be able to be registered as Works With Cardboard.
All I was doing was merely pointing out what I noted was missing from the list of Works With Cardboard devices.
Again – there are literally dozens upon dozens of companies making cardboard not listed – there is nothing to get excited about.
Your point at this time Jeni is moot as there are lots of devices not listed. The focus for Google at this stage is to make customers aware of units they are purchasing are certified to work with cardboard.
The question is: Has LG VR for G3 been certified? That hasn’t been announced.
As Daniel points out – Google is probably more interested in making sure that NEW Cardboard units that people can PURCHASE are listed as ‘Works with cardboard’, rather than giveaway units that are already in the marketplace.
Considering the relationship that Google has with LG I would be highly surprised if LG VR for Cardboard isn’t certified, but wouldn’t necessarily require it. Listen to the experts Jeni.