A recently published Google’s patent application describes an ‘Integrated mobile device packaging and virtual reality headset’. The concept is to provide a ‘relatively low cost’ VR headset solution by shipping the smartphone in packaging that doubles as a VR viewer.

Google introduced Cardboard, their inexpensive VR solution to the world in 2014, producing a VR viewer enclosure for smartphones made from Cardboard. Since then, over 10 million Cardboard viewers have shipped, along with many similar products, ubiquitous to the point of being distributed free as promotional items. Google’s patent describes integrating an enclosure similar to that of Cardboard as a novel packaging solution for a smartphone, an especially interesting idea given that the much improved VR performance that comes with ‘Daydream Ready’ phones can also extend to VR apps made for Google Cardboard.

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A Cardboard-like headset that ships with capable smartphones could act as a ‘VR lite’ option, with those especially interested in VR able to upgrade to a more capable VR viewer like Google’s Daydream View. Such an approach could help the company achieve their goal of ‘hundreds of millions of users in a couple of years’ using VR on Android.

google-cardboard-vr-headset-smartphone-packaging-2A few companies have experimented with integrating a VR viewer into packaging, such as Coca-Cola’s DIY viewer made from 12-pack boxes, and McDonald’s ‘Happy Goggles’ made from a Happy Meal box. More substantial VR headset shells (closer to a Gear VR in build quality and materials) are sometimes bundled with smartphones, and Alcatel’s Idol 4S packaging goes a step further, using the shell as part of the ‘unboxing’ experience in some regions, as shown in this video.

Originally filed on February 24th 2016, Google’s patent refers to cardboard or heavy paper stock for the main portions of the unit, and ‘glue’ and ‘tape’ are suggested several times as appropriate adhesive material; the quality of the enclosure they have in mind is probably closer to a Cardboard viewer than their Daydream View unit, although plastics and fabrics are also mentioned.

It isn’t clear if this patent is related to a Google’s recent hiring spree for AR/VR hardware expertise that appears to point to significant new AR/VR hardware on the way from the company.

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Dominic Brennan
The trial version of Microsoft’s Monster Truck Madness probably had something to do with it. And certainly the original Super Mario Kart and Gran Turismo. A car nut from an early age, Dominic was always drawn to racing games above all other genres. Now a seasoned driving simulation enthusiast, and former editor of Sim Racer magazine, Dominic has followed virtual reality developments with keen interest, as cockpit-based simulation is a perfect match for the technology. Conditions could hardly be more ideal, a scientist once said. Writing about simulators lead him to Road to VR, whose broad coverage of the industry revealed the bigger picture and limitless potential of the medium. Passionate about technology and a lifelong PC gamer, Dominic suffers from the ‘tweak for days’ PC gaming condition, where he plays the same section over and over at every possible combination of visual settings to find the right balance between fidelity and performance. Based within The Fens of Lincolnshire (it’s very flat), Dominic can sometimes be found marvelling at the real world’s ‘draw distance’, wishing virtual technologies would catch up.
  • MrLonghair

    Actually saw this from one of the Chinese Android mfcs early last year, looked like an ultra-stylish final version of Cardboard, black or deep dark blue for a colour.

  • Orion Hopper

    Soon, this VR use will be common and peoples will use it for experience the Virtual reality world. I hope in near future it will be available in local general stores. For now, we are using earphone and other things available in stores like “Mobansp”.

  • What is the purpose of patenting this? A little disappointed in the way Google is becoming Apple in this aspect. Cardboard was so successful due to its openness. The same thing cannot be said for Daydream, where have been less than open from a hardware perspective, making it difficult to create better 3rd party Daydream headsets and controllers.