This document provides an overview of virtual reality and Google Cardboard. It defines virtual reality as artificially creating sensory experiences that can include sight, hearing, touch and smell to replicate a real or imagined environment. The document discusses the origins of virtual reality from 1939 and how Google Cardboard works using a smartphone inserted into a cardboard viewer. It also profiles other VR devices like Oculus Rift, Samsung Gear VR and Microsoft Hololens. Finally, it poses ideas for how public libraries can utilize VR technologies like Google Cardboard, Mattel View-Master and gaming VR systems.

1. Virtual Reality &
Google Cardboard

2. Hello!
I am Dave Jones
I am the Head of Computers & Digital
Services at the Westhampton Free
Library.
You can reach me at:
dave@westhamptonlibrary.org

3. What is Virtual
Reality?

4. Also called immersive multimedia or computer-simulated reality.
It replicates an environment that simulates a physical presence in a real or an imagined world.
It may also allow the user to interact in that world.
Virtual reality artificially creates sensory experiences, which can include sight, hearing, touch, and smell.

5. ▷ Introduced at the 1939 New York World’s
Fair.
Beginnings of Virtual Reality
Name This Device...
▷ Intended to be an alternative to scenic post
cards.
▷ In February 2015 Mattel announced a
collaboration with Google to create a new VR
version using Google’s Cardboard
Technology.

7. Mattel’s New VR View Master

8. Oculus Rift

9. 1. Launched a Kickstarter
program that raised $2.4
Million
2. Anyone who pledged $300
received a Development Kit 1
prototype headset.
a. Shipped in March 2013
3. Facebook acquired Oculus VR
on March 25 2014 for $2
Billion
Founded By Palmer Luckey
in 2012

11. The headset specifications were designed
by Google, but there is no official
manufacturer or vendor for the device.
Once the kit is assembled, a smartphone
is inserted in the back of the device and
held in place by the selected fastening
device.
A Google Cardboard–compatible app splits
the smartphone display image into two,
one for each eye, while also applying
barrel distortion to each image to counter
pincushion distortion from the lenses.
Developed by Google as
a low-cost system to
encourage interest and
development in VR and
VR applications

12. Other VR Devices
Samsung Gear VR, Microsoft Hololens, and HTC Vive

16. Samsung Gear VR
Have devices for patrons to
use similar to Teens playing
xBox & PS4 at the library
Mattel View Master
Have Mattel VR View
Master in the Children’s
Room like play with.
Circulate the VR disks.
Google Cardboard
Teen Program assembling
the Google Cardboard and
using it.
Allowing public to try
Google Cardboard at the
library.
How Can We Use VR in the
Library?
Other ideas?

17. Thanks!
Any questions?
You can find this presentation at:
https://goo.gl/8zc8DA