Google and Mattel have teamed up to bring virtual reality to View-Master, the classic Mattel toy first introduced in 1939.
The View-Master was launched in 1939 at the New York World’s Fair, representing one of the first attempts at virtual reality. The handheld 3D viewer uses cardboard “reels” with small color slides to simulate 3D images from nature, TV shows, movies and more.
Mattel has partnered with Google to give the retro toy a facelift, delivering true virtual reality by integrating with Google Cardboard technology, which is the search engine giant’s attempt at virtual reality, according to Wired.
[quote text_size=”small” author=”– Doug Wadleigh” author_title=”Senior vice president of global brands at Mattel”]
Virtual reality, photospheric imaging, and augmented reality are all technologies that aren’t necessarily new. But it’s out goal with the View-Master brand to make virtual reality accessible, easy to use, entertaining, educational, and family friendly.
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The new View-Master will not be available until the fall, but it will have some design elements in common with the vintage View-Master. The new View-Master is used by downloading the View-Master app on an Android smartphone and inserting it into the View-Master, according to USA Today. View-Master will work with the custom Mattel app and any Google Cardboard-compatible app. There are currently more than 200 in the Google Play Store.
The View-Master reels will still be used. The new “experience reels” can be placed on a surface and the individual holding the View-Master to their eyes will see an augmented reality based on the reel subject.
The new View-Master viewer will cost $29.99 with a sample reel, with additional sets of three reels selling for $14.99. If you have Google Cardboard, you can use the reels without buying the View-Master device, according to PC World.
