Google Cardboard: £15 VR headset arrives in UK

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.

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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.