When Facebook bought Oculus VR, the company that makes the Oculus Rift virtual reality goggles, for $2 billion, it probably expected stiffer competition than cardboard. That is exactly what Google used to make its do-it-yourself virtual reality headset, which can be used with Android smartphones. It can be made with household items: cardboard, lenses, magnets, velcro and a rubber band. (In case you were wondering, Google says that a pizza box will work fine). Chances are Google will eventually come up with a more serious challenger to Oculus Rift and Sony's Project Morpheus — this was made by employees in their "20 percent" time, when they get to work on special projects. It might not be ready for a tour of the U.S.S. Enterprise, but it should make exploring Google Maps more fun.
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IN-DEPTH
- Why Facebook Is Betting on Virtual Reality as the Next Big Thing
- What You Need to Know: Facebook Buys Oculus VR
- With Oculus Rift and Project Morpheus, a Virtual Battleground May Finally Be Here (Bloomberg)
SOCIAL
-Keith Wagstaff
