Google Launches “Works with Google Cardboard”
In an effort to keep its burgeoning VR ecosystem humming along, Google announced a new certification initiative called Works with Google Cardboard on Thursday. It’s pretty simple: by registering with Google’s program, Google Cardboard viewer-makers and app developers will be able to ensure that everything a user does works without a hitch.
It’s a pretty ingenious solution, especially from the manufacturer side of things. As you’re probably aware, there are more than a few varieties of Android handsets out there, with different dimensions and sizes. Likewise, makers of Google Cardboard headsets come in different shapes and sizes as well, resulting in different experiences for users. It’s a problem.
By way of solution, Google will provide headset makers who register with the program a QR code.
“Once a user scans this code using the Google Cardboard app,” says the announcement, “all their other Cardobard VR experiences will be optimized for your viewer. And that’s it.”
App developers will also reap the benefits of the new program, as Google has created a new set of design guidelines:
“Whether you’re building your first VR app, or you’ve done it ten times before, creating an immersive experience comes with a unique set of design questions like, ‘How should I orient users at startup?’ Or ‘How do menus even work in VR?’
We’ve explored these questions (and many more) since launch, and today we’re sharing our initial learnings with the developer community. Our new design guidelines focus on overall usability, as well as common VR pitfalls, so take a look and let us know your thoughts.
Of course, we want to make it easier to design and build great apps with updated Cardboard SDKs for Android and Unity—including improved head tracking and drift correction. In addition, both SDKs support the Works with Google Cardboard program, so all your apps will play nice with all certified VR viewers.”
Hopefully more VR viewers will come down the pike—ones that are better than those that have gone before, but are affordable. And hopefully app developers will really start to flex their muscles when it comes to making interesting games and experiences. I’m pretty excited by what Cardboard can do already, so this new program looks like it’ll only make that even better.