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Google’s WebVR now compatible with Cardboard, new experiments website [Video]

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Back in June of 2016, it was revealed that Google was working on a way to make virtual reality accessible from every web browser, dubbed WebVR. Then, with the release of Chrome 56 Beta, Google started to allow developers to begin testing their WebVR projects on the web. Today, Google has published 12 WebVR experiments for users to test out not only with Daydream headsets but also those with Cardboard…


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Get your Cardboard out and pretend you’re in line for the Galaxy S8 event [Panorama]

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 event is kicking off in less than an hour, and we’re standing in line here at the Lincoln Center in New York City. If you want to know what it’s like to stand in one of these (extremely long) lines, just pull out your Cardboard (or Daydream!), and tap on the Facebook embed below.

Alternatively, you can just head directly over to our Facebook page (and like/follow it!) and check out the pano over there. If you turn your device sideways, the pano should load right up and you’ll be able to tilt and turn your head around to see the Unpacked 2017 line as we wait for the event.

Be sure to tune in live to watch Samsung announce the Galaxy S8 and S8+.

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Google has shipped over 10 million Cardboard VR headsets since 2014

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Google has a lot invested in VR, specifically in mobile VR. Its Daydream platform has been the star of the show for the past several months, but before that came Google Cardboard, an affordable VR experience for every phone. Believe it or not, that system debuted almost three years ago, and today Google is announcing that it has shipped over 10 million Cardboard headsets.


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Latest Unreal Engine preview mentions an ’AndroidVR’ plugin

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At the I/O developer conference next week, Google is widely expected to delve deeper into virtual reality with a Gear VR-like headset. And while we don’t know what that means quite yet, it seems Google could announce VR software at the event as a reference to “AndroidVR” was spotted in the latest Unreal Engine preview…


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Sundar Pichai profile reveals he announced Cardboard without even seeing final version

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According to an extensive profile piece from BuzzFeed’s Mat Honan this morning, Google’s now-CEO Sundar Pichai announced Google Cardboard having not even seen the final product. The piece details how Clay Bavor, Google’s VP of VR, first showed Pichai the project just 8 weeks before I/O, and Pichai was so impressed that he wanted to give the virtual reality viewer a full debut at the company’s developer conference…


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Your next McDonald’s Happy Meal box might also double as a virtual reality viewer

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It turns out anything can be made into a Cardboard-like virtual reality viewer. Following Coca-Cola’s experiment to convert a 12-pack case of Cokes into a viewer is a similar attempt from McDonald’s. For a limited time, stores in Sweden will be selling Happy Meal boxes that can turn into a VR viewer for smartphones.


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Google Cardboard helps a woman see for the first time in 8 years

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Cardboard is built on very basic optic principles and with simple materials. It has been used to provide various virtual reality experiences, games, and has even been used in hospitals to provide 3D analysis without the need for expensive equipment. Now, Cardboard has helped a blind woman see for the first time in years.


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Google reportedly working on a standalone VR headset that would not require a phone or PC

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In addition to working on a Gear VR-like headset which would require a smartphone, Google is also reportedly working on a standalone virtual reality headset as well. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the headset would not require a smartphone or computer and might be released as soon as this year.


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Report: Google’s working on more than just a headset, Android VR coming soon

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Not wanting Facebook to have a monopoly on virtual reality, Google has lately been doubling down on the platform. Their new VR division is overseen by a longtime Google exec and is staffed with talent from around the company. The Financial Times is now reporting that Google is working on more than just a Gear VR-like headset, but rather Android VR.


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‘Cardboard++’ might be Google’s internal name for a Cardboard & Project Tango smashup

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Update 2: People familiar with the matter have said that this isn’t an internal codename for a future project, but rather just referencing the concept of iterative “++” in programming.

Update: Taylor’s LinkedIn profile has been updated to redact mentions of Cardboard++: “In January I began working with the Cardboard team.” Previous version can be seen in a screenshot below.

We know that VR has become much more central to Google’s ambitions lately, but what exactly might the company be working on? According to some evidence scattered across the web, one project in the works might be called “Cardboard++,” a collaboration between the Project Tango augmented reality team and the Cardboard virtual reality team…


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Over 5 million Cardboard viewers shipped, 1000+ VR apps in the Play Store

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In a blog post, Clay Bavor, the recently anointed VP of Google’s new virtual reality division, announced that there are now over five million units of Cardboard and over 1000 Cardboard apps in Google Play. The numbers come as recent reports show Google getting into VR in a serious way, including possibly building their own headset.


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Google brings in Scott Broock from Jaunt to be YouTube’s Global VR Evangelist

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Google has even more planned for virtual reality than just giving Cardboard it its own leadership and division. Scott Broock, coming over from virtual reality startup Jaunt, has joined the YouTube team as the company’s Global VR Evangelist (via Re/code). It’s not exactly clear what that means yet (we’ve reached out to Google for comment; no response yet), but he’s probably in charge of getting people to make VR content for the video service…


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Google launches new Cardboard Camera app for shooting VR photos from your phone

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Google is out today with an interesting new app for VR fans called Cardboard Camera for Android. The new camera app lets users shoot their very own virtual reality photos right from a smartphone. Simply launch the app, start shooting a photo and pan in a circular motion like you’re shooting a panorama image, and you’re set.

Then throw your phone in a Google Cardboard virtual reality viewer and you can experience the immersive shot as if you were back in the moment, adding a new dimension to still images.
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Google keeps the Star Wars goodies coming, with Google Cardboard VR on the way

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Google’s partnership with Lucasfilm and Disney to promote the new Star Wars movie has already seen everything from themed backgrounds in Gmail to an X-Wing marking your position in Google Maps, but the company is not done yet.

Searching for ‘a long time ago in a galaxy far far away’ leads to a great Easter egg, where the results are shown Star Wars intro style. It’s not just a dumb graphic, it’s the real search results, and each is clickable.

And there are Google Cardboard VR experiences (and custom viewers) coming soon … 
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9to5Toys Lunch Break: View-Master VR bundle $35, SanDisk WiFi 32GB flash drive $30, more

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Keep up with the best gear and deals on the web by signing up for the 9to5Toys Newsletter. Also, be sure to check us out on: TwitterRSS FeedFacebookGoogle+ and Safari push notifications.

Heads up! During Black Friday/Cyber Monday you’re going to have to follow us on Twitter to get the best deals since many sell out too quickly to post.

TODAY’S CAN’T MISS DEALS:

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View-Master Virtual Reality Bonus Bundle: Starter Pack PLUS “Destinations” Experience Pack $35 shipped (Orig. $45)

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SanDisk Connect 32GB Wi-Fi Flash Drive for iOS/Android: $30 Prime shipped (Reg. $40)

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Nexus 5 32GB Black/White in new condition: $210 shipped (Reg. $350)

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7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 tablet: w/ FreedomPop: $60 shipped (Reg. $140+) | FreedomPop

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Best of Black Friday – Streaming Media Players: Apple TV 64GB $180, Roku SE $20, 2-Pack Chromecast (2nd gen) $50more

Best of Black Friday – HDTVs: 40-inch from $149, Samsung 55-inch Smart $580 (Reg. $1,200), more

Best of Black Friday – iPads, Tablets and e-readers: iPad Air 2 from $360, Amazon Fire $35 (Reg. $50)more

Best of Black Friday – Games: Xbox One/PS4 console bundles, deep discounts on games, more

Best of Black Friday – wearables: Fitbit Flex $59/Charge $90/more, $100 off Apple Watch, Android smartwatchesmore

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Giveaway: mophie juice pack reserve battery case for iPhone 6/s (multiple winners)

MORE NEW GEAR FROM TODAY:

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Games/Apps: Star Wars Battlefront $50 or Battlefront PS4 bundle $330, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate $50, iOS freebiesmore

BLACK FRIDAY AD LEAKS & NEWS:

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Best Buy’s Black Friday ad brings deals on Apple Watch, Macs, HDTVs, games & more!

MORE DEALS STILL ALIVE:

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Enjoy music anywhere in your home w/ the SONOS PLAY:1 Starter Set for $349 shipped ($400 value)

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T-Mobile is discounting iPhone 6s/Plus by $100 when bought on an installment plan or outright

Huge savings on pre-owned Apple Watches, deals from as low as $261 shipped

Apple iPod Touch 5th gen 16-64GB sizes, multiple colors: $149-$199 shipped

Apple Magic Mouse 2 (open-box): $68 shipped (Reg. $80)

Apple iPad Mini 2, space gray or silver: $199 shipped ($70 off)

NEW PRODUCTS & MORE:

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Mass Fidelity tries to solve virtual stereo sound with its new Core wireless speaker

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What Watch uses Bluetooth connectivity to tab the memorable moments of your life

 

Google adds parts of Bolivia and Ecuador to Street View

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Street View has been slowly getting more locations since it launched in 2007, and now the company has added many of parts of Bolivia and Ecuador to the list. These two South American countries are full of history and beautiful imagery, and now they can be explored from the comfort of your Chrome browser.

Google is even featuring some of the best imagery from Bolivia and Ecuador on its Street View site.

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Just a couple of months ago, Google launched a standalone Street View app for Android and iPhone. Android users will find it on the Play Store, and iPhone users can download the standalone Street View app on the App Store. And if you’re interested in exploring Bolivia and Ecuador in VR, you might be interested in the fact that the Street View app recently added support for Google Cardboard.

Google is bringing its Cardboard Expeditions Pioneer Program to 15 new cities

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Google is launching its Expeditions Pioneer Program in 15 new cities, according to a post on the Google for Education blog. More than 100,000 students have taken part in the Pioneer Program, Google says, and it looks like thousands more are about to have the opportunity.

Here’s the relevant tidbit:

More than 100,000 students have used Expeditions in their classes as part of the Expeditions Pioneer Program, which launched in September. Now, we’re bringing the program to new cities. In the U.S., we’ll be in Alexandria, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City and Washington DC. We’ll also be adding three new countries: Canada, where we’ll be in Toronto, as well as Denmark and Singapore.

It looks like 12 of these cities are in the United States, with three more in other countries. Specifically, the program is coming Alexandria, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Detroit, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, Washington DC, and Toronto, with two others in Denmark and Singapore.

Google revealed the Expeditions Pioneer Program at Google I/O earlier this year, which hopes to give students the opportunity to travel to distant lands in virtual reality and learn in new ways. Teachers have a library of 100+ virtual trips to places like Mars and the Great Barrier Reef to choose from.