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There have been several smartphone/tablet VR viewers making their way into the virtual reality market lately which take advantage of an Android phone or iPhone screen, as well as their gyroscopes and accelerometers. Since mobile phones are on the forefront of resolution and pixel density, some argue that this method of VR will hold its own in the battle against standalone VR headsets. The VR Viewer by Yay3d takes it to another level.



Let me introduce you to the VR Viewer by Yay3d.  This 3D printed piece of hardware snaps onto to a 7-inch Android tablet or iPad Mini to allow viewing of VR content.

VR Viewer features:

  • Super quick attachment includes easy adjustment for proper centering over a range of 3D content
  • Lightweight (84g) yet strong practical design 3D printed in ABS plastic
  • Huge 50mm short focal length precision hard-coated acrylic aspheric lenses specially manufactured for yay3d
  • Extremely wide field of view – up to 90+ degrees
  • HD resolution when coupled with 2013 Nexus 7 tablets
  • Ability to attach to 2012 Nexus 7 and iPad mini tablets also
  • Innovative yet simple lens separation adjustment accommodates differing IPD and content sizes
  • Enjoy dozens of Oculus Rift videos on YouTube; loads of Play store VR-based games for android devices
  • Be a Rift passenger via Splashtop Personal to an Oculus-connected PC

For $49 US, you can’t really beat the experience that the VR Viewer provides. If you have a 7-inch Android tablet or an iPad Mini, you may want to check this out.

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Reverend Kyle
  • seanlumly

    This seems great! I’m a big believer in mobile VR and I’m glad to see enthusiasm mounting. I would love it if this device was head-mounted rather than needing to be held in place during use. It could be modified, but for $50 it would be far better if this functionality were built in. I would literally buy it today if it could be worn like the Oculus Rift.

    7″ tablets form a wonderful target for VR devices due to their large screens, but they are somewhat lacking in horsepower (the execption to those rule seems to be the Tegra Note 7, which is nicely spec’d). Something like the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 device (and presumably subsequent devices) offer a large 5.7″ screen, high resolution, and also cutting-edge mobile specs would make a great target for a head mounted display. And if the Note 4 has a 2560×1440 display and Snapdragon 805, it would make a very compelling target indeed. I hope that Yay3D plans to target these devices as well.

    • hfheadgear

      Hi Sean, I have an HMD that works with the yay3d VR viewer shown above. It is shipping now. My web site is hfheadgear.com. Order the standard unit for Google Cardboard and add a note that you want to use the yay3d viewer. Neal Nelson

  • Ohaple

    Looks neat. I found it funny that he used the Durovis Dive app to show it off. Cool design, I just wouldn’t want to hold my device to use it.
    Looks like it would be particularly good for kids though.

  • Martin Huber

    I really don’t understand the need for devices like these… Maybe it’s just me, but the only effect that you get with watching rift videos or be a “rift passenger” is getting sick since you don’t control the movements.

  • Don Gateley

    I find that this works with the Google Cardboard app and the ecosystem that will build up around it. In lieu of the Cardboard control by magnet you can just double tap on a corner of the screen. Use stylus for smudge free tapping.

  • David Dougherty

    Will this device work with an Amazon Kindle Fire HD 6?

  • CreoleGuyTy

    is there one that would work for Nvidia Shield Tablet?

  • Deep_Bass

    I am curious if this device would work with the OnePlus 7 Pro. Super hi-res graphics with a 90 Hz refresh rate would be awesome