Photos: 10 free VR apps to get you started with Cardboard
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1. Titans of Space
1. Titans of Space
Titans of Space is a good beginner VR experience because it’s a guided tour. Specifically, it’s a guided tour of the solar system, complete with factoids on all the celestial bodies and appropriately dramatic music. My favorite part is flying along Saturn’s rings to visit Pan, the planet’s innermost moon. It’s available for free, but offers in-app purchases.
2. Jaunt/ABC News Inside North Korea
2. Jaunt/ABC News Inside North Korea
One of the cool ideas attached to VR is that it can take viewers to places they would not be able to go on their own. This Jaunt VR/ABC News partnership does just that by bringing viewers into North Korea with reporter Bob Woodruff. Jaunt has a bunch of cool apps—you could just as easily start out with Paul McCartney’s performance of “Live and Let Die.” The choice is yours.
3. Vrse
3. Vrse
Vrse offers a great collection of 360 videos, including the compelling Evolution of Vrse, and others.
4. Discovery VR
4. Discovery VR
Discovery VR has a ton of cool videos from programs like Survivorman and MythBusters. One of the MythBusters videos places you feet from a postal van packed with 84 tons of dynamite, and not only lets you see it explode, but walks you through the explosion, frame by frame. There are several videos that let you swim with sharks. And, you can even freeboard down Lombard Street in San Francisco. (That’s the really curvy street.)
5. Tokyo VR
5. Tokyo VR
If you’re totally new to the space, 360 photos are a good way to get familiar with with idea of being able to look all around you. Tokyo VR has a slew of pretty pictures from around the Japanese city.
6. YouVisit
6. YouVisit
YouVisit is another app that offers a lot of content, from tours of restaurants to travel locations, hotels, and more. Even if you’re not scoping out a college to attend or place to eat, it’s interesting to dive into each location.
7. RYOT
7. RYOT
RYOT‘s been doing some really interesting work with 360 video and journalism. Check out what they’re up to whether it’s going to the streets of Aleppo, or Nepal after the earthquake.
8. YouTube
8. YouTube
YouTube is now a great spot for 360 video. Find something you want to watch, and watch it.
9. Cardboard
9. Cardboard
It sounds obvious, but shouldn’t be overlooked—the Cardboard app comes with several demos, like a tour of the Palace of Versailles.
10. Lamper Cardboard: First Flight
10. Lamper Cardboard: First Flight
If you want to get a feel for a really simple VR game, check out Lamper VR. You use your head to fly a lightning bug through a tunnel, collecting currency and dodging obstacles. It’s actually quite a bit of fun, but it does move quickly, so take some breaks. Also, be sure to get the version made specifically for Cardboard.
