Apple and its iPhone iOS have had a bit of a slow start in the virtual reality (VR) world. It has not been one of the most popular platforms, having been outdone by HTC Vive or Oculus Rift. Samsung’s Gear VR has worked well for the Samsung phones, but that still does not help the iPhone with its popularity.
Fortunately, with the virtual reality apps that are available via the App Store on the iPhone, as well as opportunities with panoramic videos and 3D style opportunities, there are some possibilities for the Mac users and their iPhones. This is especially true with Google’s Cardboard viewer and the ability to insert the iPhone into the makeshift viewer, whether it is something that was purchased at the low rate of four dollars or it was the product of a do-it-yourself activity with the family.
Of course, the iPhone can also be inserted into most VR viewers on the market.
Will Apple catch up with some of the other VR platforms out there? Will the graphics speed up enough to satisfy the VR players and encourage them to use the Mac OS?
Keep in mind that it is not only the Apple users who love their iPhones. There are many people out there who are not Apple users but still love their iPhones.
How Do You Satisfy Mac Users?
Mac users tend to be very loyal with their selection of their software. They are not eager to discard the Mac OS. At the same time, Mac users do not have a problem keeping their Mac desktop (or laptop) and switching over to a Windows emulator (like Parallels) in order to use Windows software.
If a Mac user is going to go to that length, why not pick up an Android or Samsung at an affordable rate. This is especially helpful with used devices on sale. Also, opportunities like eBay exist. It is not like the VR player has to be married to the smartphone of choice as they can still continue to use their Mac desktop or iPhone smartphone for what they were intended to be used and use the purchased Android or Samsung for the virtual reality play.
It is not like the VR player has to be married to the smartphone of choice as they can still continue to use their Mac desktop or iPhone smartphone for what they were intended to be used and use the purchased Android or Samsung for the virtual reality play.
Benefits of the Used Equipment and Cardboard Viewer Approach
So, now you have a used smartphone and something like the Google Cardboard viewer. This is a wise approach.
By taking this approach, the VR participant does not have to worry about scratches as much. They also don’t have to worry about dents or any other disturbing results to their smartphone. After all, the Google Cardboard does not appear to be the strongest gear equipment or device out there, so damage is likely inevitable. It is easy to understand how a smartphone may slip out of its hold. This could especially be true if the VR players become exuberant in their virtual reality play. From there, one could accidentally knock into one another as they participate in their virtual reality activity in the most meaningful way possible.
Why limit the level of fun? By using a lower dollar device, that comes with a myriad of VR opportunities, and adding a Cardboard viewer, the player may be able to have more fun.
Other Viewer Possibilities
There are other viewers on the market and some are reminiscent of the 1960s Mattel Viewmaster. It is easy to see how the virtual reality viewers appear to be cousins of the same technology. It is also easy to see how the science fiction technology starts to inspire additional technology.
The viewers may not have become communicators yet, like Star Trek. If that were the case, we could have the transporting of an individual from the space station to the spaceship. However, understanding that a smartphone is a communication tool and it fits within the Google Cardboard helps. It may even help to allow the individual VR players to feel as if they are on the spaceship.
From there, it is easy to see that the makings for the comm button. That, and the transporter are just around the corner… at least virtually speaking.
