Developers who want to create virtual reality apps for the iOS mobile operating system will find that is now made a lot easier by Google. The search engine giant recently released its Cardboard Software Development Kit or SDK for the said mobile operating system.
"The Cardboard project aims at developing inexpensive virtual reality (VR) tools to allow everyone to enjoy VR in a simple, fun, and natural way. The Cardboard SDK for iOS enables developers familiar with OpenGL to quickly start creating VR applications" as Google posted on its developer's website during the last few days of March.
The company added, "We're keeping the hardware and software open to encourage community participation and compatibility with VR content available elsewhere."
The SDK has already taken off a big chunk from the programming part. These include: lens distortion correction, head tracking, spatial audio, 3D calibration, side-by-side rendering, user input event handling and stereo geometry configuration.
For the developers, Google also listed several requirements in order to build VR apps. These include Xcode 7.1 or higher, Cocoa Pods, and an iPhone with at least iOS 7version.
Google Cardboard is the simplest and least expensive way to experience VR and its primary material is cardboard. Since its release back in June 2014, the company has shipped more than five million pieces of the viewer and there are over 1,000 apps published and available for download.
For iPhone users who are interested in virtual reality and want to experience the same enjoyable feeling as five million others, there are several VR headsets that are currently available and recommended by Google. The Google Cardboard and Google Tech C1-Glass for US$15, View-Master VR, DSCVR and Powis Viewr for US$30, VR One GX for US$120 and several more.
For those interested in DIY-style VR viewer, Google also provided the instructions on how to make one.
Google Cardboard was initially available for Android smartphones, but was eventually released for the iOS.
