Virtual Reality (VR) has proven to be able to provide a new
experience in the consumption of multimedia contents. The application of VR is
also supported by the presence of VR devices such as Google Cardboard which
basically can be enjoyed by everyone because the price is very affordable.
Nevertheless, we can't deny the fact that VR is still in its
early stage, which means that the ecosystem of contents still needs to be
expanded. Google has a pretty interesting idea which allows users to create
their own VR contents with ease.
The idea is presented in the form of an application called
Cardboard Camera. This application can actually change the user's Android
smartphone into VR camera. Thus, all the personal moments that have been
recorded can be enjoyed in the form of virtual reality.
This application will basically ask you to take a picture
while moving around. The result is of course 360 degree panoramic photos.
Cardboard Camera is applying special trick that can make the panorama photos
have three-dimensional effect.
So when you slip your smartphone into Google Cardboard, the
photos that have been taken will look different on the left and right eyes; the
depth effect makes close objects look near, and the far objects seem distant.
Furthermore, users can also record sound around while taking
3D panorama photos. As a result, users can 'explore' photos from all angles
while listening to the sound that occurs at that time.
If you already have Google Cardboard and use Android
smartphone, you can download the Cardboard Camera application from Google Play.