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Virtual reality has been a huge part of our pop-culture since before it actually became a thing of reality. Sci-fi authors, as well as screenwriters and comic book authors have been using the concept for decades, some more correctly than others. Well, the actual thing has been here for a few years, and more and more companies are trying to exploit the new market. Now you can make VR content yourself with Google’s Cardboard Camera.
Google Cardboard brings 3D audio and video to your device
Released in 2014, the Google Cardboard device allows the user to socket their smartphone or tablet in a specifically made cardboard box of sorts, and then receive both sound and video as if it were in 3D around him. The device looks like an old-timey stereoscope made out of cardboard, with the smartphone taking the place of the slides.
However, not so many things were available for the device, and there was really no way to actually create content yourself.
Cardboard Camera’s VR capabilities
The newly launched app allows its users to take a sort of virtual reality picture around them. Not only that, but it also records a bit of sound around you, so that you can more fully experience the captured moment.
The app works similarly to the panorama function, with the user taking a 360 degree picture around him. The Cardboard Camera then turns the image into 3D, and also records some of the sounds present when taking the picture.
When using the device, you will be able to relive the captured moment, in a 360 cylinder around you. The results are pretty impressive, as you can look all around you and relive a moment in your life. But here come the downsides and limitations of the device.
VR limitations of the Cardboard Camera
Like I mentioned before, you will only have visibility in a cylinder around you. The app does not allow the possibility to also capture what is going on above or below you, thus significantly limiting the potential immersion in the moment. Even though it realistically simulated depth and distance, if you try to look up or down while wearing the device, things will be blank.
The second limitation of the device is that, at least for now, sharing the captured moment will be unavailable. The only one to have someone else experience a moment captured via the app is to lend them your phone. However, people over at Google are undoubtedly working to fix the issue, or if not, to design a new app without the limitations from which the current one is suffering.
