![]() ![]() No matter whether I change the file name to PANO_date_x.jpg or run it through the Photosphere XMP Tagger, as user forums suggest, I’m invariably confronted by “This is not a VR photo”. However a problem arises when you try to import a photo (such as a panorama) that wasn’t taken by Cardboard Camera. Flickr also provides embed code that you can insert into your website – with user manipulation similarly enabled.īack to Cardboard Camera, its VR photos can be viewed via the Cardboard headset – as you would expect. I’m pleased to report that Flickr also recognises my photo as a photo sphere and automatically enables user manipulation, though I found it unreliable in Edge so try Chrome instead. The app still doesn’t say something to the effect of “Thank you for publishing your photo”, but I’ve grown to expect this kind of UX from Google. However I’m pleased to report that adding my photo to Google Maps via Street View worked perfectly and immediately. I think the differences between the light and shade caused problems, not to mention the skills of the operator. As you can see, the stitching is by no means perfect. Here’s my effort with a surround shot at a wharf on Sydney Harbour. Mind you, this mode is not available on the phone by default – you must download it! The S7 has a “surround shot” mode that enables you to take multiple photos in all directions, which are then stitched together to produce a true 360° photo. While these are impressive, the black spots above and below the photo fall short of the definition of “virtual reality”.Īgain in Paper cuts I expressed my surprise at the absence of multi-directional photo-stitching as per Photosynth, and it appears the boffins at Samsung read my blog. I must point out that VR photos taken via Cardboard Camera are not 360° photos they are simply panoramic shots that are stitched together at their ends. I’m glad to say this is no longer an issue on my S7. In Paper cuts I reported a drop-out problem when taking VR photos with my S4. I wonder if one day VR apps will be standardised so they work across all the major platforms. While some of the apps that I know via Cardboard – such as Vrse and Inmind – are also available via Oculus, not all are. So far I’ve tried Smash Hit VR, The Body VR, Speech Center, and The Night Cafe – all are excellent. Then I worked out I can access the Oculus Store on my phone via the app without using the headset, which affords a much better user experience – complete with search facility.Īs for the Oculus apps, I’ve found their quality to be a notch above the Cardboard offerings. That means I must scroll through the apps, which is tedious to say the least. In contrast, the Oculus app has its own store that I can access via the headset, and while all the apps I see are compatible with Gear VR, there’s no search facility. Third-party apps are searchable in Google Play, but as I mentioned in Paper cuts the results can not be filtered out by Cardboard compatibility. To use Cardboard, you need the Cardboard app. I suggest an Xbox-like control stick (or perhaps a ball) would be a superior mechanism for both scrolling and selecting. I never seem to put my finger in the right spot, and I find the act of scrolling imprecise. Gear VR’s sensor also has scrolling functionality, but I find this tricky to use. Gear VR’s sensor responds to a simple tap of the finger, whereas the push button on Cardboard feels clunky.Gear VR’s tracking wheel allows me to focus my lenses, whereas Cardboard’s one-size-fits-all approach can result in blurry vision.My S7 snaps perfectly into place on the Gear VR, whereas it sometimes goes a little off-kilter in the Cardboard.The Gear VR headset is sturdier than its Cardboard counterpart, provides a snugger fit, and is more comfortable to wear.Whether it’s worth the greater investment will depend on your needs, but the following advantages that it holds over Cardboard may influence your opinion: Having said that, the Gear VR is only around $150, which I find surprisingly cheap and dare I suggest affordable. For about $20 you obtain your very own portal into virtual reality. There’s no doubt about it, Cardboard’s ace in the pack is its price. ![]() Now I had the opportunity to compare my experience with another headset one step higher up in the food chain. I was in the market for a new smartphone recently, so I took up Samsung’s offer of a free Gear VR headset with a purchase of the new S7.Īs readers of Paper cuts will know, I’ve been toying with virtual reality via the Google Cardboard headset. ![]()
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