Google and Mattel combine View-Master with VR glasses

Google and Mattel released a new version of the View-Master: the toy glasses into which round discs with slides had to be inserted for a stereoscopic view. The new version works like VR glasses with a smartphone, based on Google’s open Cardboard platform.

Google and Mattel are targeting children with the new View-Master, both companies announce. “Combining the View-Master’s circular disc with an app and an Android phone brings kids into an imaginative and interactive learning environment,” Mattel said.

Since Mattel only has non-working prototypes, the operation is not yet fully clear, but it seems the intention is that both a smartphone and the disks can be inserted into the View-Master. The discs allow the user to select and view certain 360-degree images and interactive animations. Initially, this will include a panoramic view of the Space Shuttle.

The new View-Master will be available in the fall of 2015 in combination with a demonstration disc for a suggested retail price of USD 30, converted and with VAT approximately EUR 32. Additional packs of disks will then cost $15, which is probably a little over $15. The packages have themes such as nature, adventure and science.