Google Cardboard, the tech giant's low-cost virtual reality headset that's literally made of cardboard and works with phones, is now compatible with Street View.
Google announced on Tuesday that users can wear the headset and experience Google Maps Street View in a new, immersive way.
The headset, which costs as little as $10 and is available for purchase online (or you can make one at home), works with any Android phone that can fit within the holder — however, 4.7-inch devices are the limit. Users then open Street View in Google Maps on the phone, double-tap a lower-right, look-around icon on the corner of the display to sync everything up. After that, the headset shows a 360-degree view of the location. This means it's possible to simulate looking up at a skyscraper in Shanghai while sitting in an apartment in the U.S.
Google's been expanding its map interface for some time, and it continues to get only cooler. There's a whole lot more in Google Maps than just Street View these days: for example, Business View takes people inside of restaurants, departments stores and even movie and TV sets. There's an indoor floorplan feature, too, so people can map out the inside of locations — such as Madison Square Garden — before heading inside in real life.
Earlier this month, Google announced in a blog post that it has shipped more than 500,000 Google Cardboard headsets. Citing a growth for mobile and the Android brand, the company said it was expanding its VR efforts by hiring some developers.
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