Google's 'Works with Cardboard' badge is coming to VR viewers

Alongside a new QR code system to optimise your mobile VR
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The fact that Google Cardboard is open mobile VR and it comes in all shapes, sizes and prices is precisely why we love it. But Google has recognised that with so many viewers, it needs to do a spot of quality control.

That's why it has launched 'Works with Cardboard', a certification program for third party Cardboard viewers so that we know each particular viewer "works great with Cardboard apps and games". Manufacturers can apply for the certification from Google itself.

But there's more - anyone building a VR viewer can send details of its focal length, distance between the lenses and input type to Google which will then have the parameters it needs to optimise content for that viewer.

All VR fans have to do is scan a QR code on the side of the device to make sure all Cardboard videos and games are now optimised for that viewer's set-up.

It's a great move as there's so many different Cardboard viewers to choose from now - as well as making your own - and the optimisation in particular will greatly improve the Cardboard experience.

In the blog post announcing the program, Google also revealed its acquisition of Thrive Audio, based out of Trinity College Dublin's School of Engineering, to work on immersive, spatial audio for VR. It also boasted that there are now hundreds of Cardboard apps to try out.

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Sophie was Wareable's associate editor. She joined the team from Stuff magazine where she was an in-house reviewer. For three and a half years, she tested every smartphone, tablet, and robot vacuum that mattered. 

A fan of thoughtful design, innovative apps, and that Spike Jonze film, she is currently wondering how many fitness tracker reviews it will take to get her fit. Current bet: 19.

Sophie has also written for a host of sites, including Metro, the Evening Standard, the Times, the Telegraph, Little White Lies, the Press Association and the Debrief.

She now works for Wired.


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