If you are an 80’s kid they you are probably very familiar with the View-Master. While it is much older than that with its first show of sorts appearing at the 1939 New York’s World Fair. The history of the product is pretty interesting and rather exciting to know it got its start in Portland Oregon. I know I have fond memories of growing up looking through the toy and pulling the handle to change images. It was certainly a good time in life. While the old school View-Master is more of a nostalgic toy from our past, that is still very much alive, that doesn’t mean the branding and product can’t be reinvented for the 21st century and that is exactly what Google and Mattel are doing.
The simplest explanation is that Google has taken their Google Cardboard VR app and ability and gave it face lift. The new View-Finder is essential the physical Google Cardboard device made from plastics and looks more marketable. A user will open the app and then look at the real. You will then click the side slider down when you have a set data point highlighted. From there you are taken inside the reel where you can look all around and navigate to various parts of what you are looking at. In a demo that USA Today took, he was taken to Alcatraz prison where he could point at the door and go inside and then progress inside cells and other locations of the prison all while being able to look around in a 360 view. The phone also played a variety of sounds that one would find in that location when visiting the site in person. Check out the short little video below to give yourself a bit more of a visual of how it will work out.
I love the idea and the device itself looks pretty cool. I am not entirely sold on the physical card reels, even if they are AR cards. It does give it a bit of the old school feel though.
Are you going to be putting some of that tax money away for a View-Master Sizzle and a full set of reels?
Source: USA Today
