Google launched Cardboard a year ago at Google I/O and they didn’t even make a big deal about it. It’s an easy to use, and create, Virtual Reality viewer. Instead of paying hundreds for the Gear VR, or HTC’s Vive headset. At Google I/O this past summer, Google made cardboard even better and added a feature called “field trips”, where classes can use Cardboard and travel the world without leaving their classroom. Which is actually a really cool use for this. Google had trademarked the “Cardboard” name, and now they are looking to protect that trademark. Removing apps that are in the Play Store with the term “cardboard” in their name. Google did something similar recently with the “Android” name. So that sites had to rename their apps so that “Android” wasn’t in the name of their app.
Virtual Reality is the next big step for technology. Google has even opened up partnerships to get production tools ready for 360-degree videos. With the most notable one being with GoPro which was announced at Google I/O this past summer. Google has created specs for Cardboard and have opened those to the public. So anyone can make hardware that works with Cardboard, and the search giant has even created the “works with Cardboard” seal of approval. So it could be likely that Google goes after their partners in the future, if they use the “Cardboard” term.
If you haven’t experienced Cardboard of Virtual Reality just yet, it’s time you do so. We’d highly recommend picking up Cardboard and checking it out. It works with all smartphone sizes up to 6-inches, which includes the Nexus 6. From watching videos, and movies to playing games, Virtual Reality is definitely going to be picking up in the next few years. In fact, Hulu and Netflix have already brought support to Samsung’s Gear VR, so you can watch their videos in virtual reality. Additionally HTC is doing their press event next week in virtual reality, after OnePlus did it in July with their OnePlus 2 launch event. Making the user feel like they are really there at the event. Which is pretty amazing.