Got the new Cardboards, Now What?

Google Cardboards and its action to optimize and introduce YouTube to show VR based videos this month is bound to open the Pandora’s box for many. We are curious by nature. The “DIY” bug is a big part of the American psyche. Once the audience has experienced the immersive proposition via the multitude of the gizmos and gears, it is bound to ask the pressing question:

“How do I create my own VR content?

Over the last few years, many corporations have asked the same question. While some have focused on building content that can be consumed by customers, there is a niche of companies that have experimented with ways to empower the customer so that they can create their own 360’ experiences and share them with the world. There are quite a few expensive propositions out there starting with JauntVR, GoPro hero 3, Nokia Ozo and Lytro to name a few.

However, Most of the companies focusing on affordable VR camera started out as on the simple indiegogo or other crowd funding platforms to shop their vision. There are two companies that have generated a lot of headlines recently. The first is Lucid. Based out of Berkley the founders call it as the World’s first consumer camera for VR that actually fits in the palm of your hand. LucidCam is a stereoscopic 3D camera that captures the world as you see and hear it. 180° wide-angle lenses enable an active view, and special audio enhances the experience.

Another company Ricoh has been experimenting on this idea for with its product Theta. Ricoh Theta S360, Priced at $350ish, it’s a small little camera that lets you shoot and stitch 360 videos. The other company that has a nice looking product is Giroptic, currently available for preorder at $499.

So you spend some money and acquire the camera to shoot 360 content. How would you then go about sharing the content with your friends and your loved ones? Facebook is already collaborating with these camera manufacturers to help you quickly distribute your content via “Publish to facebook” feature.

Now, like me if you have a large number of guests at your Thanksgiving table/Christmas, and you want to cover a 360 view. Get yourself one of these new babies so that you can provide them with your content to experience via Google card reader.

On it’s own, The Cardboard reader should make a nice Christmas gift for 2015!