Google’s main focus for VR may now be on Daydream and the wealth of content to follow that will be designed for the platform, but Daydream isn’t the only type of virtual reality content that Google has in play. A great example of this is Google’s Expeditions application which was introduced last year and launched for students, and as a tool for teachers to help students learn about new places while allowing them to explore those places in virtual reality using the Google Cardboard viewer, or another type of viewer that was based on the Google Cardboard platform. Today, Google has announced that they’re opening up the Expeditions app to anyone who wishes to use it.
The now open Expeditions app follows recent news from last month that students using the app since last year have now amounted to more than 1 million students taking explorative trips around the globe to places like Buckingham Palace, which Google added to the application earlier this year. Google also notes that those 1 million students come from 11 different countries and can take over 200 trips using the app and compatible Cardboard viewers. The number of people going on expeditions is surely going to rise by quite a bit now that it isn’t just for students to use.
While the app will be downloadable and usable for anyone who already has the needed equipment, like the Cardboard viewer, a smartphone or tablet, and an internet connection, schools that may still need to get a hold of the equipment will be able to do so through Best Buy Education who will be selling Expedition kits that contain a tablet, the viewer and a router to connect all the students so the classroom can become a learning experience like none other. The app allows you to choose whether you’re a guide or an explorer, and as long as all of the devices that want to participate are all connected on the same local WiFi network, everything should go swimmingly. There are currently over 200 expeditions to take, with more likely on the way in the future as Google continues to update the app. Expeditions is free to use, but does require data and the Cardboard viewer.
