Google Cardboard: £15 VR headset arrives in UK
Flat-pack gadget offers a virtual-reality experience at a no-frills price
Google Cardboard, the internet giant's virtual reality headset, is finally available to buy in the UK – priced at £15.
It's taken two years for the gadget to arrive, says Wired. Google started selling the headsets in the US in 2014 and has shipped more than five million to date. It's on sale at the Google Store and dispatches in a couple of days.
The idea behind the device is simple – it's "a no-frills enclosure that transforms a phone into a basic VR headset". But for a cardboard box with two lenses inside, there's a surprising amount that can be done with it.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Google has focussed on producing more content for the platform and there are now thousands of virtual reality games, apps and videos available. It's still a "stuttery experience", The Verge says, but it's definitely something that can be used to "mess around in virtual reality".
Cardboard uses your smartphone as a screen and supports Android and iOS devices.
Rumours suggest Google could be working on a new VR headset with a 2016 launch in mind. It could be a much sturdier device, made from plastic and with built-in sensors and better lenses, and come at a higher price point. It would go up against the Samsung Gear and likely offer a similar experience but with more compatible devices.
For now, the flat-pack Cardboard remains the company's sole venture into virtual reality. It's even possible to make one at home yourself – Google has posted a list of instructions and the materials you'll need online.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
'This needs to be a bigger deal'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Google Maps gets an AI upgrade to compete with Apple
Under the Radar The Google-owned Waze, a navigation app, will be getting similar upgrades
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Is ChatGPT's new search engine OpenAI's Google 'killer'?
Talking Point There's a new AI-backed search engine in town. But can it stand up to Google's decades-long hold on internet searches?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
'Stunningly lifelike' AI podcasts are here
Under the Radar Users are amazed – and creators unnerved – by Google tool that generates human conversation from text in moments
By Abby Wilson Published
-
How will the introduction of AI change Apple's iPhone?
Today's Big Question 'Apple Intelligence' is set to be introduced on the iPhone 16 as part of iOS 18
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Will the Google antitrust ruling shake up the internet?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for users?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Wall Street tumbles on poor tech results
Speed Read US markets had their worst day since 2022 as Tesla and AI stocks dropped
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why is the tech industry up in arms about Google's search algorithm leak?
Today's Big Question A leak of about 2,500 documents shed light on how Google's search engine operates, and not everyone is happy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published