# Google Cardboard

> virtual reality head-mounted smartphone mount made of cardboard, designed by Google

**Wikidata**: [Q17558104](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q17558104)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Cardboard)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/google-cardboard

## Summary
Google Cardboard is a virtual reality head-mounted smartphone mount made of cardboard, designed by Google. It was created as an affordable and accessible way to experience virtual reality using a smartphone as the display and processing unit. The device consists of simple materials like cardboard, lenses, and straps, making it easy to assemble and use.

## Key Facts
- **Designed by**: Google AR & VR
- **Primary use**: 3D computer graphics
- **Core component**: Smartphone (Android-based, used as the display device)
- **Materials**: Cardboard, magnet, rubber, plastic, cloth
- **Distribution platform**: Google Play
- **Subclass of**: Smartphone-based virtual reality headset
- **Has parts**: 2 lenses, strap, hook and loop fastener, suction cup for smartphone
- **Wikipedia availability**: Available in multiple languages (e.g., Arabic, Catalan, German, English, Spanish)
- **Library of Congress ID**: sh2016002707

## FAQs
### Q: What is Google Cardboard used for?
A: Google Cardboard is used to display 3D computer graphics by mounting a smartphone inside the device. It was designed to make virtual reality more accessible and affordable.

### Q: What materials is Google Cardboard made of?
A: Google Cardboard is primarily made of cardboard but also includes materials like magnet, rubber, plastic, and cloth for assembly.

### Q: How is Google Cardboard powered?
A: Google Cardboard uses a smartphone (specifically an Android device) as its display and processing unit, with the smartphone’s screen serving as the VR display.

### Q: Where can I get Google Cardboard?
A: Google Cardboard was distributed through Google Play, where users could download and assemble the device.

### Q: Is Google Cardboard still available?
A: While the official Google Cardboard product may no longer be widely available, the concept of using a smartphone as a VR display has influenced later VR headsets.

## Why It Matters
Google Cardboard revolutionized virtual reality by making it accessible to the masses. Before its release, VR headsets were expensive and complex, requiring powerful computers and specialized hardware. Google Cardboard simplified this by using a smartphone as the display and processing unit, allowing users to experience VR with minimal cost. This innovation democratized VR, making it a mainstream technology. The device also inspired the development of more advanced VR headsets, proving that virtual reality could be more than just a niche hobby. By using affordable materials like cardboard, Google Cardboard demonstrated that VR could be a practical and inclusive technology. Its impact lies in its role as a pioneer in making virtual reality accessible to everyday users.

## Notable For
- **Affordability**: One of the first VR headsets designed to be inexpensive, using simple materials.
- **Smartphone Integration**: Pioneered the use of smartphones as VR displays, a trend later adopted by other headsets.
- **Accessibility**: Made VR technology available to a broader audience by eliminating the need for expensive hardware.
- **Open-Source Influence**: Inspired the development of open-source VR platforms and DIY VR projects.
- **Google Play Distribution**: Was distributed through Google Play, making it easily accessible to users worldwide.

## Body
### Design and Construction
Google Cardboard was designed as a simple, low-cost VR headset. The device consists of a cardboard frame with two lenses, a strap for comfort, and a hook-and-loop fastener for attaching a smartphone. The smartphone serves as both the display and the processing unit, with Android being the primary supported operating system. The suction cup attachment ensures a secure fit for the smartphone.

### Materials and Assembly
The primary material used in Google Cardboard is cardboard, but it also includes magnet, rubber, plastic, and cloth for assembly. The design was intentionally kept simple to encourage users to assemble their own devices, reducing costs and promoting customization.

### Distribution and Availability
Google Cardboard was distributed through Google Play, where users could download and print the necessary templates to assemble the device. The official Google Cardboard app provided basic VR experiences, demonstrating the potential of the platform.

### Impact on VR Technology
Google Cardboard played a pivotal role in making VR more accessible. Its success led to the development of more advanced VR headsets, such as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. The device also inspired a wave of DIY VR projects and open-source VR platforms, further democratizing VR technology.

### Legacy and Influence
While Google Cardboard is no longer widely available, its legacy lives on in the broader VR industry. The concept of using smartphones as VR displays has become a standard feature in many modern VR headsets. Google Cardboard remains a significant milestone in the history of virtual reality, proving that VR could be more than just a niche technology.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. BabelNet
3. Quora
4. National Library of Israel