Verizon's Star Wars Google Cardboard (Photo : Twitter)
Verizon Wireless is currently giving away free Star Wars-themed Google Cardboard viewer to its paying customers in-store.
Google Cardboard works with both Android phones and iPhones. Users can insert any phone up to about six inches in size, and then install the Cardboard app, which is available in both Google Play and the App Store. They can download Cardboard-compatible apps from the respective app stores. Users can even watch virtual reality videos on YouTube or take a virtual trip to anywhere using Google Street View.
However, this new virtual reality does not contain any strap and users need to hold it to their faces to use it properly.
There are four different variations, themed around Kylo Ren, R2-D2, a Stormtrooper helmet, and BB-8. The wireless mobiles carrier said that there are currently 200,000 pieces of the VR headset available across the United States. A spokesperson of the company said that supplies will theoretically last a couple of weeks or until supplies last, according to The Verge.
Verizon's Star Wars promotion is tied to the Star Wars app for Android and iOS, which gets a big VR update earlier this week that ties into the launch of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” launching on Dec. 18. Verizon is one of the many sponsors for the new movie. In addition, a new virtual reality experience called Jakku Spy is now available through the Star Wars app on iOS and Android stores.
These special edition viewers work just like the basic Google Cardboard viewers that usually cost between $15 and $30, BGR reported.
VR headsets have become an important entertainment tool. Among them are Oculus VR, HTC Vive and PlayStation VR all are expected to launch for the first half of next year.
