It seems a tech conference cannot be hosted without the presence of virtual reality disguised as strange cardboard cutouts. And somewhere in the rooms filled with people awkwardly looking around at each other holding a shaped piece of cardboard to their face, someone is saying it is the future of technology.
The latest conference to feature this fascinating premise is Google's I/O, where Google announced one million cardboard cutouts were being used around the world. They also said the Play Store has over 100 apps compatible with Google Cardboard (the company's own version that popularized the cutouts).
The idea is simple and ingenious. Get rid of all the high-tech, expensive and bulky cameras and infrared sensors of an Oculus Rift and replace them with cardboard and mirrors.
And while it does not get you anywhere near the life-like atmosphere of the Rift: it works.
So why do we need these cardboard goggles?
To stimulate the market.
The truth is virtual reality is not ready to jump into the mainstream market. Aside from reports of disorienting effects and nausea, as well as the impracticality of having such a large, expensive device strapped over your face, virtual reality is lacking third party support.
Purchasing a virtual reality headset today would be like purchasing a video game console with games only being developed by a few studios.
And this is where the cardboard cutouts come in. They allow users to experience virtual reality through a device they already own: their phone. The cutouts only cost $20, are lightweight, and very simple to operate. And best of all, they give companies a platform they are already comfortable creating content on.
As more people adopt cardboard cutouts, more apps will be created. So by the time virtual reality is refined enough to hit mainstream, the content will already be there waiting.
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