Mattel brings VR to the newest View-Master, based on Google Cardboard

February 13, 2015

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Mattel_View-Master_Google_Cardboard_01 Mattel and Google held a little event this morning in New York City, and as expected, they unveiled a new view-master. The first view-master was launched in 1940, and with over 200,000 reels released, it was one of the most popular toys for many years. But it wasn't just a toy as it was also used to train pilots and doctors. Now it's entering the virtual reality (VR) world.

When Mattel saw Google Cardboard, they knew it was the next generation of the view-master. Just like Google Cardboard, it will work with smartphones and whatever apps that are designed for it in the Play Store. Mattel will offer their own custom app as well. The new view-master will be compatible with Android at first, but support will come to iOS and Windows.

But don't say goodbye to the traditional view-master reels as they will also be available for this device. The difference is they will now provide 360 degree views, which Mattel calls them “360 degree photospheres.”

The new view-master will go for $30 and will become available this fall. Reels will also be available for $15 for a set of 4 and include exclusive content.

source: The Verge

Robert Nazarian Author

Robert lives in upstate New York where he was born and raised. Technology was always his passion. His first computer was a Radio Shack TRS80 Color that used a cassette tape to save programs, and his first laptop was a Toshiba T1200FB that sported a CGA greyscale screen and two 720kb floppy drives (no hardrive). From the early 90’s through late 2011, he only owned Motorola phones starting with the MircroTAC all the way through to the Droid X. He broke that streak when he bought the Galaxy Nexus. Now he's sporting a Galaxy Note 4, and absolutely loves it. He has a wonderful wife and a 6 year old son. In his free time he enjoys sports, movies, TV, working out, and trying to keep up with the rapid fast world of technology.