The future of reality is here! And it’s… virtual?
For a while now, everyone has been saying that VR is the next big thing. Or maybe AR is the next big thing. Or maybe AI is the next big thing. Or maybe AI AR VR is the next big thing. Who knows?
The latest Gartner Hype Cycle put VR in the Slope of Enlightenment, meaning it’s past the initial hype stage and is slowly becoming an established technology. That sounds about right to me.
The problem with VR is that to do it properly is super expensive. An HTC Vive will currently set you back a solid £600, and – worse still – you probably don’t have enough space in your rabbit hutch of a flat to actually set the thing up properly.
So when I decided to check out Virtual Reality, I didn’t go for the Vive, or the Oculus Rift, or the Playstation VR thing. I was interested in a product that Google were offering. A £15 VR headset made out of cardboard.
This is the Google Cardboard, and it’s like the cutest thing ever. Basically just two lenses in a cardboard case, it’s an entry-level solution to getting a foot onto the VR ladder. The actual VR magic is all done on your phone, hence the price point, and it actually works surprisingly well.
Using your phone, rather than a high-spec PC or console, does come with certain limitations though. You can’t do much in the way of shooting zombies in VR or playing that fun looking Rick and Morty VR game. The cardboard is much more about virtual experiences, so it’s great for VR Street View, 360 degree YouTube videos, and Paul McCartney.
It’s a great way to sample what all the fuss about VR is. And it’s incredible that you can check it out for as low as four or five pounds. All you need is a supported phone to run the thing, and off you go.
Which brings me to the other VR headset from Google: the Daydream.
I wasn’t going to get a Daydream initially, as I already had the Google Cardboard. But then I bought the original Google Pixel, which was marketed as a VR-ready phone and even came with a free Google Daydream (RRP £99). So yeah, of course I got one.
And it’s basically a more comfortable version of the Google Cardboard. It doesn’t do anything more really, other than a few quality of life tweaks. The headstrap is super useful to stop the damn thing falling off your head, the build quality is much better and prevents light from seeping in, and it’s generally more comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.
It also comes with a little controller accessory. This connects to your phone via Bluetooth and is used to point at things, select options on-screen, and so on. It’s a huge help and just makes navigating the menus so much easier. But feature-wise, it’s pretty much the same as the Cardboard. It still uses your phone for the actual VR, which by the way is a massive massive battery drainer and will make your phone feel hotter than the sun.
I don’t find myself using the Daydream that much at the moment. When I first got it, I often got it out to experience the novelty of VR. And if people come round, it’s a good talking point. There are also some good games you can play on it like the bomb defusing party game Keep Talking & Nobody Explodes. But there’s no must-have killer app. Yet.
SO, if you’re interested in VR but don’t wanna drop the big money, check out a Google Cardboard. The Daydream probably isn’t worth it at the £99 mark for what you get. Or if you’re ready to take the full plunge maybe go and buy a Vive or something and invite me round to come play it!