Mattel and Google tie-up reimagines View-Master as affordable VR alternative
POSTED 07 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The VR headset is the first to be targeted specifically to children Credit: Mattel
View-Master – a popular children's toy since the 1960s – could be the next big step in affordable, commercial virtual reality following a tie-up between Mattel and Google to create a new iteration of the device based on VR using smartphones.
The original View-Master used a thin cardboard disk with seven small colour photographs on film. When looked at through a viewfinder, the stereoscopic image would create the illusion of a 3D scene.
The modern era version of the near 77-year-old technology does away with the original format, instead using a smartphone placed inside a plastic headset to create a virtual image, taking much inspiration from Google’s cardboard VR headset. The new View-Master still uses a reel, this time however with only a QR code in the centre. When inserted into the device, the smartphone recognises the code and produces the correct scene.
Paired with a View-Master app, users will be able to see 360-degree scenes, looking in any direction at the sights of various world landmarks. In addition to the 360º panoramas, the new version of the View-Master will be able to show 3D models, while users will also have access to VR mini-games.
The product’s commercial launch – targeted primarily at children – came on 1 December but beyond that the device offers many applications to the attractions industry, which is currently searching for its preferred choice in the increasingly competitive virtual reality market. The simpler version could provide a cheap alternative to more advanced headsets currently under development, such as Microsoft’s Hololens, Samsung’s Gear VR and the Oculus Rift. The established brand name could also prove a hit, with a Mattel tie-up likely to appeal to families and nostalgic older audiences.
The View-Master is available now, with current content on offer including scenes by National Geographic and NASA. The device retails at US$29.99 (€28, £20).
Mumbai-based virtual reality games developer Smaaash debuted its Finger Coaster
innovation at the IAAPA attractions expo, with the new technology allowing
users to draw a rollercoaster and then ride their creation in a virtual space.
New research from Mintel looking at key consumer trends in Europe has suggested that
virtual and augmented reality technologies are about to have a big impact on the
consumer market in the UK, as well as beacon technology.
A startup virtual reality company in California’s Silicon Valley has secured US$65m
(€58m, £42m) from a number of global companies including Disney as media and
entertainments companies start to invest in new forms of immersive technology.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Mattel and Google tie-up reimagines View-Master as affordable VR alternative
POSTED 07 Dec 2015 . BY Tom Anstey
The VR headset is the first to be targeted specifically to children Credit: Mattel
View-Master – a popular children's toy since the 1960s – could be the next big step in affordable, commercial virtual reality following a tie-up between Mattel and Google to create a new iteration of the device based on VR using smartphones.
The original View-Master used a thin cardboard disk with seven small colour photographs on film. When looked at through a viewfinder, the stereoscopic image would create the illusion of a 3D scene.
The modern era version of the near 77-year-old technology does away with the original format, instead using a smartphone placed inside a plastic headset to create a virtual image, taking much inspiration from Google’s cardboard VR headset. The new View-Master still uses a reel, this time however with only a QR code in the centre. When inserted into the device, the smartphone recognises the code and produces the correct scene.
Paired with a View-Master app, users will be able to see 360-degree scenes, looking in any direction at the sights of various world landmarks. In addition to the 360º panoramas, the new version of the View-Master will be able to show 3D models, while users will also have access to VR mini-games.
The product’s commercial launch – targeted primarily at children – came on 1 December but beyond that the device offers many applications to the attractions industry, which is currently searching for its preferred choice in the increasingly competitive virtual reality market. The simpler version could provide a cheap alternative to more advanced headsets currently under development, such as Microsoft’s Hololens, Samsung’s Gear VR and the Oculus Rift. The established brand name could also prove a hit, with a Mattel tie-up likely to appeal to families and nostalgic older audiences.
The View-Master is available now, with current content on offer including scenes by National Geographic and NASA. The device retails at US$29.99 (€28, £20).
Mumbai-based virtual reality games developer Smaaash debuted its Finger Coaster
innovation at the IAAPA attractions expo, with the new technology allowing
users to draw a rollercoaster and then ride their creation in a virtual space.
New research from Mintel looking at key consumer trends in Europe has suggested that
virtual and augmented reality technologies are about to have a big impact on the
consumer market in the UK, as well as beacon technology.
A startup virtual reality company in California’s Silicon Valley has secured US$65m
(€58m, £42m) from a number of global companies including Disney as media and
entertainments companies start to invest in new forms of immersive technology.
Off the back of the success of the first round of Everyday Heritage Grants in 2022, Historic
England is funding 56 creative projects that honour the heritage of working-class England.
Universal has revealed it will be adding new Harry Potter attractions, alongside Super Nintendo
and How to Train Your Dragon worlds to its Florida resort.
Populous have unveiled their plans for a state-of-the-art e-sports arena, designed to stand as a
central landmark in Qiddaya City’s gaming and e-sports district, Saudi Arabia.