Final Week: Pinć VR Nears Crowdfunding Goal for Smartphone Case That Transforms into a VR Headset

There’s only a week remaining in Pinć VR’s crowdfunded drive to take mobile VR out of backpacks and makeshift carry cases and put it straight in your pocket, and with the recently addition of support for selected Android devices, the IndieGogo campaign could be searching to put their device in a lot more pockets than initially planned.

Cordon Media, a Toronto based digital agency, aims to redefine the form factor of smartphone-centric VR headsets with their unique system that promises to deliver a lot more functionality than your run-of-the-mill Google Cardboard variant. It’s called Pinć VR, a bundled system that packages a pair of 35mm fresnel lenses and head strap into a plastic smartphone case. Included in the system is also a pair of unique ‘Pincher Gesture Controllers’ that act as LED markers for the case’s integrated wide angle lens, which tracks the controllers via app-integrated computer vision. The ‘pinchers’ are used to swipe and pinch your way through a host of commercially focused apps that are represented in 3D on a ‘virtual desktop’, along with the possibility to use a virtual keyboard for data input.

Pinć VR on Indiegogo

Milan Baic, president and founder of Cordon Media, told BNN’s Paul Bagnell in an interview that Pinć VR is for “everyday computing, commerce, anything you can imagine that you can do on your phone or your computer [that] can be taken to the next level with virtual reality.” Baic also stated back in early December that the platform was originally only meant to accommodate iPhone 6 and 6 Plus smartphones, which was based on a strategy to consolidate resources into one operating system and  a smaller number of handset form factors, but with a recent addition of support for Android devices, the projected release of the device will also include the transforming smartphone case for Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, LG G3, HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S4, Motorola Moto X, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z Ultra, of course at the same $99 CAD ($83 USD) early backer special price as the iPhone ‘Discovery Edition’ cases. Pinć VR will also be launching an SDK for any potential developers wanting to develop apps for the multi-platform device. The IndieGogo campaign is set to end on January 22nd, 2015 with a total flex-funding goal of $50,000 CAD ($42,000 USD). (all prices shown in Canadian Dollars) $1 – A Warm Thank You

Get your name displayed on our website for helping bring VR to the mainstream.

$25 – “Pinć Me” V-Neck Apparel

“Pinć Me” T-shirt showcasing your support & contribution in making VR a reality for the masses.

$29 – Pincher Gesture Controller Set

The package comes with 2 Pinchers, one for the left index finger, and one for the right. Software developers looking to work with Pinchers with other mobile VR HMD’s will be delighted with this perk as it also comes with the full product SDK.

$99 – Pinć Discovery Edition for Android or iPhone

The Pinć Discovery Edition Case, Integrated Pinchers & SDK in Metallic Black for Early Adopters & Software Developers. Available for iPhone 6 or 6 Plus as well as the following Android devices: Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, LG G3, HTC One M8, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S4, Motorola Moto X, Sony Xperia Z3, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z Ultra *Shipping Billed Separately at $32 CAD for North American orders and $54 CAD for International Orders.

$149 – Pinć Limited Edition for Android or iPhone

Limited Edition Pinć VR finished in Metallic Red, Integrated Pinchers & SDK individually numbered from the production line. For iPhone 6 or 6 Plus as well as previously listed Android devices. *Shipping Billed Separately at $32 CAD for North American orders and $54 CAD for International Orders.

$249 – Pinć Set of 3 for Android  for Android or iPhone

A set of 3 Metallic Black Pinć Discovery Editions & SDK’s for groups & development teams. For iPhone ® 6 or 6 Plus as well as previously listed Android devices. *Shipping Billed Separately at $32 CAD for North American orders and $54 CAD for International Orders.

$2000 – Super Pinć SDK Supporter 

Meet with our development team and receive early access to thePinć SDK while in production. Along with obtaining a 3 pack of the SDK, this will allow your development team to get familiar with the tools, API’s, documentation and extensions to get a head start in developingPinć VR applications foriOS and Android

The Road to VR team got their hands on an early Pinć VR prototype at last week’s CES 2015 and will be sharing their impressions soon.

Full Disclosure: Cordon is running is running Pinc VR ads on Road to VR.